[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17044]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 251--HONORING THE FIREFIGHTERS AND OTHER PUBLIC 
 SERVANTS WHO RESPONDED TO THE FIRE IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON 
                             JUNE 18, 2007

  Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. DeMint, Mr. Dodd, Mr. McCain, Mr. 
Kennedy, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Isakson, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Schumer, 
Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Biden, and Mr. Burr) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 251

       Whereas at approximately 7:00 P.M. on June 18, 2007, a 
     tragic fire started at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, 
     South Carolina;
       Whereas despite the flames that engulfed the building, the 
     brave men and women of the Charleston Fire Department 
     (Department) fulfilled their duty by rushing inside as others 
     fled for their lives;
       Whereas the fire quickly grew out of control and trapped 2 
     store employees inside;
       Whereas the firefighters attempted to punch through the 
     building walls in a selfless effort to save the lives of 
     these employees;
       Whereas the roof of the building collapsed, trapping the 
     firefighters inside;
       Whereas Captain William ``Billy'' Hutchinson, a 30-year 
     veteran of the Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Captain Mike Benke, a 20-year veteran of the 
     Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Captain Louis Mulkey, an 11-year veteran of the 
     Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Engineer Mark Kelsey, a 12-year veteran of the 
     Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Engineer Bradford ``Brad'' Baity, a 9-year veteran 
     of the Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Assistant Engineer Michael French, a 1\1/2\-year 
     veteran of the Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Fire Fighter James ``Earl'' Drayton, a 32-year 
     veteran of the Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Fire Fighter Brandon Thompson, a 4-year veteran of 
     the Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Fire Fighter Melven Champaign, a 2-year veteran of 
     the Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of these 
     firefighters reflects the spirit of South Carolina, as well 
     as the spirit of our great Nation;
       Whereas the United States has not experienced such a 
     devastating loss of firefighters since the horrific events on 
     September 11, 2001; and
       Whereas a grateful Nation mourns the loss of these heroes 
     and vows that their sacrifices were not made in vain: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors William ``Billy'' Hutchinson, Mike Benke, Louis 
     Mulkey, Mark Kelsey, Bradford ``Brad'' Baity, Michael French, 
     James ``Earl'' Drayton, Brandon Thompson, and Melven 
     Champaign, who lost their lives in the course of their duty 
     as firefighters, and recognizes them for their bravery and 
     sacrifice;
       (2) extends its deepest sympathy to the families of these 9 
     brave heroes;
       (3) honors all the firefighters and other public servants 
     who contributed to battling the fire; and
       (4) pledges to continue to support and to work on behalf of 
     the firefighters who risk their lives each day to ensure the 
     safety of all Americans.

                          ____________________