[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 23454-23455]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 300, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 300) supporting the goals and ideals 
     of Fire Prevention Week and the work of firefighters in 
     educating and protecting the communities of this Nation.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise in support of S. Res. 300, 
supporting the work of firefighters to educate and protect the Nation's 
communities, and the goals and ideals of Fire Prevention Week. Senators 
Carper, Dodd, and McCain join me in sponsoring this resolution to honor 
and promote the life-saving work of the National Fire Protection 
Association.
  Fire prevention is an ancient concern. Two thousand years ago, the 
city of Rome not only had had thousands of paid firefighters, but also 
wardens who would patrol the streets and enforce fire-prevention laws.
  Thousands of American cities and towns such as San Francisco, 
Chicago, and Portland, ME, have suffered disastrous fires in the past. 
Even in our agrarian, Colonial era, cities such as Boston and 
Philadelphia were organizing paid and volunteer fire companies to fight 
the hazards of fire.
  Today, flames continue to exact a deadly toll on citizens and 
firefighters every year. The National Fire Protection Association 
reports that in 2008, an estimated 1.45 million fires in this country 
killed nearly 3,320 civilians and injured another 16,705, while also 
killing 103 firefighters.
  When President Harding designated the first Fire Prevention Week in 
1922, fires were killing about 15,000 Americans every year. Advances in 
safety technology, education, fire prevention, and firefighting have 
brought great progress in reducing the number of fatalities, especially 
considering the great increase in population. But fire still poses an 
enormous threat to life, health, and property of all Americans.
  As a cochair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I have 
proudly joined in bipartisan efforts to honor the heroic service of our 
firefighters and to support legislation to assist them in securing the 
personnel, equipment, training, and benefits they need. Today, I am 
proud to submit this resolution to support their work in educating the 
public on the vital concern of fire prevention.
  The more people understand the importance of avoiding fire hazards 
and dangerous practices, of installing and maintaining smoke alarms, 
and of planning escape routes, the fewer lives will be lost among our 
citizens and our firefighters.
  I thank my colleagues for joining me in support of this resolution in 
support

[[Page 23455]]

of our firefighters' work and of the Fire Prevention Week of October 4 
through 10, 2009.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon 
the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 300) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 300

       Whereas since the organization of the first fire 
     departments during the colonial era of this Nation, 
     firefighters have maintained their dedication to protecting 
     the health and safety of the American public;
       Whereas firefighters presently provide a multitude of 
     services to our communities, including emergency medical 
     services, special rescue response, hazardous material and 
     terrorism response, and public safety education;
       Whereas 103 firefighters lost their lives in the line of 
     duty in 2008;
       Whereas the Nation's fire departments respond to emergency 
     calls nearly once per second and are dispatched to fire 
     emergencies every 22 seconds;
       Whereas approximately 1,145,000 fires were reported in 
     2008;
       Whereas firefighters always respond with courage, whether 
     they are confronted with acts of terrorism, natural 
     disasters, or other emergencies;
       Whereas Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public 
     health and safety observance on record, as firefighters have 
     been honored for their role in educating the American public 
     since the first Fire Prevention Week was declared by 
     President Warren G. Harding in 1922;
       Whereas the National Fire Protection Association has 
     designated the week of October 4 through October 10, 2009, as 
     Fire Prevention Week; and
       Whereas educating all Americans to ``Stay Fire Smart'' 
     continues to be a priority for all firefighters: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the work of firefighters in educating and 
     protecting the communities of this Nation; and
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of Fire Prevention Week.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, you will note my closing script is here. I 
will end after 9 o'clock tonight. I think that is fairly clear.

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