[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 23]
[Senate]
[Page 31878]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 THE FIRES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2007

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, in October, residents of San Bernardino, 
San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, and Santa Barbara 
counties faced some of the most horrific fires in California's history. 
At one point, flames driven by fierce Santa Ana winds forced as many as 
one million Californians to flee their homes and communities.
  During these firestorms, 14 people lost their lives. More than 100 
people sustained injuries. Almost 3,000 structures, two-thirds of them 
homes, were destroyed. More than 500,000 acres burned. The impact of 
these tragic fires will be felt by the people of California for a long 
time, but we will do everything we can to help rebuild the damaged 
lives, homes, and communities.
  It is often during the very worst of times that we see the very best 
of humanity. I want to express my deep appreciation to all those at the 
local, county, State, and Federal levels who worked tirelessly to get 
the job done, including CalFire, the California National Guard, the 
U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Navy, the Marines, the Border Patrol, the 
National Park Service and, above all, the county and local fire 
agencies.
  I was deeply touched by the thousands of courageous and tireless 
firefighters who worked around the clock saving the lives of people 
caught in the fire's path, battling flames, and protecting 
neighborhoods. Our California firefighters and those who traveled 
across the country to help risked their own lives to protect the lives 
and homes of others. We are so grateful to these heroes, and will never 
forget their bravery and dedication.
  Thankfully, no firefighters or public safety officers lost their 
lives during the fires. But several of our firefighters were injured, 
some of them seriously, and I send them and their families my best 
wishes for a full recovery.
  As we pay tribute to our firefighters, we must recognize their valor 
with not just words, but also deeds. That means standing up for their 
health and welfare, particularly as they face challenges that can last 
a lifetime. Our firefighters are there for all of us when we need them 
most and they deserve the same.

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