[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7905]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF HOUSTON FIREFIGHTERS

  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 
Houston firefighters who lost their lives and were injured battling a 
deadly five-alarm blaze.
  Every year, our Houston Firefighters Pension Board holds a memorial 
service to honor all firefighters, but especially those who gave their 
lives in the service as firefighters. I have attended many of those 
services over the years.
  Last Friday, May 31, the deadliest fire in the 118-year history of 
the Houston Fire Department broke out in southwest Houston. 
Unfortunately, four brave firefighters lost their lives performing 
their duties. Captain Matthew Renaud, Engineer Operator Robert Bebee, 
Firefighter Robert Garner, and Firefighter Anne Sullivan tragically 
fell during the fire. Many firefighters were injured, including 
Engineer Operator Anthony Livesay, EMT Robert Yarbrough, EMT Foster 
Santos, Engineer Operator and Paramedic Marcus Hernandez, and Captain 
William Dowling. These firefighters were injured and died trying to 
save people in a motel unit.
  Our hearts and our prayers go out to their families and friends. 
Being the grandson and nephew of a family of Houston firefighters, I 
understand the sacrifice their loved ones made. We shall never forget 
their heroic efforts to keep us safe.

                          ____________________