[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19085]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   MEMORIALIZING FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2001

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Joint 
Resolution 42, which requires the American flags on all Federal office 
buildings to be lowered to half-staff each year in commemoration of the 
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service held in Emittsburg, 
Maryland, which honors our nation's firefighters who died in the line 
of duty.
  During the recent terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., 
firefighters did their jobs at the Pentagon and the World Trade Center 
buildings and emerged as true heroes, dedicated to saving and 
protecting lives. These are individuals who deserve our highest praise 
for their brave commitment to duty. September 11, 2001 was a tragic day 
that proved to the world that the resolve of our nation's firefighters 
is strong, as it is every day. The American firefighter goes to work 
every day and puts his or her life on the line for the protection of 
fellow citizens, whether the day is routine, or carries with it the 
face of national tragedy. There is no question that every fallen 
firefighter deserves this honor, and I ask my colleagues to support 
this bill.
  I am proud to have close to thirty firefighters in my family. It is a 
deep rooted tradition and a strong dedication to service that has been 
in my family for years. As was evident to everyone across the world on 
September 11, firefighters are brothers and sisters bound together by 
duty. And on that tragic day, 343 New York Firefighters were lost, as 
well as one firefighter from New Jersey. Public service officers all 
over the world mourn the deaths of the firefighters who lost their 
lives in these attacks. Yet they know that tomorrow will bring a new 
day where people everywhere will count on firefighters to be ready to 
assist where they are needed most, ready to protect the lives of their 
fellow citizens.
  This resolution is a great honor for our public service officers and 
a proud sentiment from a grateful Nation.

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