[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 28525]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 265--RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE FIREFIGHTERS AND 
  OTHER PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO RESPONDED TO THE DEVASTATING OUTBREAK OF 
            WILDFIRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN OCTOBER 2003

  Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 265

       Whereas in late October 2003, southern California 
     experienced multiple simultaneous devastating wildfires that 
     destroyed thousands of homes, took many lives, and burned 
     hundreds of thousands of acres of grasslands and forests, 
     exceeding the devastation of any fires in the past century;
       Whereas in the space of a few days, all of the resources of 
     local firefighting companies were called on to man fire 
     lines, first on 1 front and then on many fronts;
       Whereas firefighters were thrown into extraordinarily 
     dangerous situations because of the fast-moving, fuel- and 
     wind-driven fires;
       Whereas firefighters exhibited resilience and courage by 
     continuing to stay on the lines, often in back-to-back 
     shifts, while knowing, in some instances, that their own 
     families were in danger or that their personal homes had been 
     lost;
       Whereas 1 firefighter, Steven Rucker, made the ultimate 
     sacrifice by giving his life;
       Whereas the firefighters who were called initially were 
     later assisted by skilled and courageous pilots, who flew 
     water-drop flights in the most challenging wind and smoke 
     conditions, and by firefighters from throughout the State of 
     California and neighboring States;
       Whereas additional emergency personnel, including law 
     enforcement and medical personnel, have coordinated with 
     local authorities and firefighters and have performed beyond 
     the call of duty in the preservation and protection of human 
     lives; and
       Whereas members of the Armed Forces have once again met 
     their country's call to duty, providing valuable firefighting 
     assets and assistance to the emergency response efforts of 
     California: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes and honors all of the firefighters who 
     responded to the devastating outbreak of wildfires in 
     southern California in October 2003;
       (2) recognizes and honors all others, including emergency, 
     law enforcement, and medical personnel, pilots, and members 
     of the Armed Forces, for their important contributions to 
     controlling the wildfires and keeping Californians safe; and
       (3) commends the firefighters and other personnel for 
     dedicated service to the people of California.

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