[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 21828]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    HONOR FALLEN HEROES OF NEW YORK

  (Mr. NETHERCUTT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, on November 18, 2001, firefighters from 
around the world will gather in New York City to honor the memories of 
the 344 emergency service personnel who lost their lives on September 
11.
  I am proud to note that my hometown of Spokane, Washington, will be 
represented by more than 50 firefighters who will pay their own way to 
stand with their brethren at this memorial service. To put New York's 
loss in perspective, the city lost as many firefighters in a day as 
Spokane has in its entire department.
  As we honor those who have passed, we may also look to those who have 
survived. We in the House unanimously passed a Victims Tax Relief Act, 
the HEROS Act, which provides relief from Federal education loans to 
surviving families, and legislation expediting Federal payments to the 
survivors of public safety officers. We should also honor the fallen 
heroes of New York by strengthening our public safety programs.
  As a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, which has done 
so much to educate Members on these issues, I support legislation 
introduced by the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) which would 
allow Good Samaritans to donate equipment to fire departments.
  Federal resources are also important. Last year, we provided $100 
million in grant equipment, and I support additional funding this year. 
I commend the service of firefighters and am proud to acknowledge the 
efforts of those serving the Spokane community and all of eastern 
Washington.

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