[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19183]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR GOALS AND IDEAS OF DAY OF TRIBUTE TO ALL 
                              FIREFIGHTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 2002

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, before I begin, let me start by expressing 
my heartfelt sympathy for all the families and coworkers of 
firefighters who so valiantly responded to the call of duty. Is there 
anything more selfless than the bravery of a firefighter fighting to 
save the life of others and in doing so losing his own? Their sacrifice 
will never be forgotten.
  This October, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, as it has 
every year since its creation by Congress in 1992, will lead a 
nationwide effort to remember America's fallen firefighters through a 
variety of activities. Since it began, the National Fallen Firefighters 
Memorial Weekend has been an opportunity for a grateful nation to offer 
a tribute to firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
  When people come to Washington, DC this year, we will celebrate the 
lives of 442 firefighters from 34 states who made the ultimate 
sacrifice. In some way, they have touched all our lives. They came from 
every walk of life, but were united by a calling to serve. For all of 
us, including myself, the tragic deaths of the 347 firefighters who 
rushed into the World Trade Center towers, give added poignancy to this 
year's memorial. Even more so because, forty of these brave men and 
women called my district home.
  Living in the shadow of the World Center, the days after that tragic 
day were filled with funerals, wakes, and memorial services. 
Remembering those difficult days, I know the rest of the New York 
delegation shares my appreciation to the National Fallen Firefighters 
Foundation for their efforts to coordinate resources from across the 
country to provide logistic and peer support to the New York Fire 
Department's Counseling Service Unit after September 11. They mounted 
an unprecedented response effort to help families and coworkers through 
the critical early days and are now providing long-term emotional 
support for the fallen firefighters' families.
  At the same time, it is important to remember that when we remember 
those who gave their lives, it is not just out of sadness, but it is 
also with a sense of pride. In these troubled times they evoke the 
courage of the American spirit. And we take comfort in the fact that 
our firehouses are still filled with brave men and women, waiting to 
answer that call to duty. For that we will always be grateful. Mr. 
Speaker, it is my hope that all of our colleagues will support this 
important resolution.

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