[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14109]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      PAYING TRIBUTE TO JIM THRASH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
pay tribute to the life and legacy of Jim Thrash of New Meadows, Idaho. 
Jim bravely battled the Storm King Mountain Fire outside the town of 
Glenwood Springs, Colorado in 1994, but succumbed to the blaze along 
with thirteen fellow firefighters while working to protect the city. I 
personally served as a firefighter and understand the risks they face 
each and everyday. Witnessing the awful inferno that fateful July day, 
I know Jim and his comrades battled the fire with the utmost courage 
and valor. With the tenth anniversary of the Storm King Fire 
approaching, I believe it appropriate to recognize the sacrifice Jim 
and the Storm King Firefighters made on behalf of a grateful community, 
state and Nation.
  Jim grew up in Arizona and moved to Idaho with his wife in 1973 where 
he taught high school Spanish and social studies, and coached varsity 
baseball. Jim and his wife owned and operated a big game hunting 
business in Idaho, and he was a member of the Idaho Outfitters and 
Guides Association where he was president, served on the board, and 
chaired the wilderness committee. He joined the McCall Smokejumpers in 
1981, an elite group of firefighters who parachute into rough, 
mountainous terrain to fight wildfires in areas of forests inaccessible 
by any other means. He was a dedicated member of his crew, and received 
a great deal of satisfaction from helping others. Above all, he was 
devoted to his family and friends.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to rise before this body of Congress and 
this Nation to pay tribute to the life and memory of Firefighter Jim 
Thrash. Jim was committed to providing high quality professional fire 
management services to protect our natural resources; putting himself 
in harms way for unfamiliar people and places. He made the ultimate 
sacrifice doing what he loved, and I, along with the Glenwood Springs 
community and the State of Colorado are eternally grateful to this 
brave man.

                          ____________________