[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 20451-20452]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          CHARLES FLOWERS, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 30, 2004

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, during the 2004 Fallen Fire Heroes 
Memorial Weekend, our nation will come together to honor the 107 
firefighters who perished in the line of duty last year. Regretfully, 
eight Texas firefighters lost their lives, two of whom are from the 8th 
Congressional District.
  We are not here to mourn the loss as much as we are here to celebrate 
the lives of these dedicated heroes that serve selflessly in the worst 
of conditions to keep us safe. We celebrate their commitment, their 
compassion and their courage. So many hours of training; days and 
nights of service; time away from their families and friends; comradery 
with their brothers; lives and homes saved . . . it is impossible to 
put into words our gratitude for these heroes in our lives and our 
communities.
  Charles Flowers, Sr. of the New Caney Volunteer Fire Department will 
have his name added to the plaques surrounding the National Fallen 
Firefighters Memorial Park just outside of Washington, D.C. this 
weekend.
  Charles Flowers, Sr., a veteran firefighter for over 25 years died 
while responding to a motor vehicle accident with a victim pinned in 
the vehicle. He collapsed from an apparent heart attack after actively 
attempting to free the victim from the vehicle. Flowers was well known 
and loved by this community. He served the New Caney Volunteer Fire 
Department as Chief, Captain, and finally as Assistant Chief. He was 
also a representative to the Montgomery County Fire Chiefs Association 
and a member of the Emergency Services Ministries.
  Firefighters represent the best our community has to offer. We honor 
them today, not only for their final act of bravery but for the lives 
they led. A firefighter's work can some times be thankless, but of all 
the men and

[[Page 20452]]

women I've met, meet challenge and the danger without complaints and 
without regret. Their lives provided hope and comfort to victims of 
horrible events that we pray never come to us or the ones we love.
  This remembrance service is as much a celebration of their lives and 
their ideals as it is a time to reflect on what we have lost. 
Firefighters remind us that heroes are every day people who decide to 
devote their lives and work to something greater than themselves.
  Today we are here to honor Charlie Flowers and his brothers, the 106 
nationwide who've sacrificed so much. With the start of a new day, we 
honor the families and friends they've left behind. Mr. Speaker, our 
prayers are always with them. Together as a community we say thank you 
to those who will stand in the place of those who have fallen and will 
continue to faithfully serve and protect.

                          ____________________