[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 17767]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE OF EACH OF THE FALLEN CITY OF CHARLESTON FIREFIGHTERS

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further 
consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 172) honoring 
the life of each of the 9 fallen City of Charleston firefighters who 
lost their lives in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2007, and 
ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from South Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 172

       Whereas firefighters work devotedly and selflessly on 
     behalf of the people of the United States, without regard for 
     the peril or danger to themselves;
       Whereas firefighters carry out the vital role of protecting 
     and ensuring the safety of the public and their property;
       Whereas on June 18, 2007, 9 brave men of the Charleston 
     Fire Department selflessly paid the ultimate sacrifice in 
     service to their community;
       Whereas the firemen who perished had over 120 years of 
     combined service in the fire department;
       Whereas the events of June 18, 2007, constitute the single 
     worst loss of firefighters since September 11, 2001;
       Whereas Captain William ``Billy'' Hutchinson, Captain Mike 
     Benke, Captain Louis Mulkey, Engineer Mark Kelsey, Engineer 
     Bradford ``Brad'' Baity, Assistant Engineer Michael French, 
     Firefighter James ``Earl'' Drayton, Firefighter Brandon 
     Thompson, and Firefighter Melvin Champaign were heroes in the 
     truest sense of the word; and
       Whereas Charlestonians, South Carolinians, and Americans 
     will forever be grateful for the service of these 
     firefighters and mourn their loss: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That Congress honors the lives of the 9 fallen 
     City of Charleston firefighters who lost their lives in 
     Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2007.

  The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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