[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[October 12, 1992]
[Pages 1809-1810]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on Signing the Benjamin National Franklin Memorial Commemorative 
Medal and Fire Service Bill of Rights Act in Springfield, Pennsylvania
October 12, 1992

    Curt, thank you so very much. And I just can't tell you what this 
event means to me. I want to offer a special salute to Curt Weldon. He 
has got to be, when you look at the whole Nation, the firefighter's, the 
emergency responder's best friend. He is unbelievable in his steadfast 
support for everything we believe in. Curt is very generous in his 
assessment of my role, but it is his work, his labor, his efforts that 
make this historic bill here--gives us this bill to sign today. I want 
to salute Chief Gallagher; Gene Bidoli, the president of the Firemen's 
Association of Delaware County. I want to salute the 20 national 
presidents that are here today representing a million and a half 
emergency responders all across our great country.
    It's an honor to be here. And I guess like every kid in America, I 
grew up wondering whether I could ever be a fireman. Barbara saw me 
drilling a hole in the Lincoln Bedroom the other day, trying to put a 
fire pole down, curving it around to go down into the Oval Office. But I 
am here today to sign the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial 
Commemorative Medal and Fire Service Bill of Rights Act. It authorizes 
the minting of a medal commemorating Benjamin Franklin's contribution to 
the advancement of science and the American fire service.
    The activities funded through the sale of the medal we're going to 
authorize today will help to carry out your important bill of rights. 
The proceeds will help promote education and training programs, a 
greater public awareness and support of the many hazards of firefighting 
and emergency response. And they will help assure that

[[Page 1810]]

should the ultimate tragedy occur, your loved ones will be taken care 
of.
    The list of benefits from this medal goes on and on, and so does the 
courage of the American firefighters. And I know that it can be touch 
and go in some situations, some of the calls that you respond to, the 
danger that every firefighter faces when entering a burning building or 
responding to an accident. For your bravery and for your unfailing 
dedication, I say this from the bottom of my heart: Thank you on behalf 
of all Americans.
    Also included in this act is the Fire Service Bill of Rights. It is 
a tribute to all of you. It acknowledges the important contributions 
that firefighters make to their communities. But most of all, the Fire 
Service Bill of Rights is long-awaited and much-deserved recognition for 
all you do for your country.
    As some of you may know, Teddy Roosevelt is among my favorite 
Presidents in history, and let me share with you what his father said to 
him on his 16th birthday. He said, ``We are not placed here to live 
exclusively for ourselves.'' And you serve, you serve. You serve not 
only for yourselves alone, obviously, but for the family called America.
    And on behalf of that family, thank you. May God bless each and 
every one of you. All of you are heroes in my book. And may God bless 
the State of Pennsylvania and this wonderful country that we are 
fortunate enough to live in, the United States of America.
    And now you will see me sign enthusiastically and make official this 
very important act. Thank you all very much.

                    Note: The President spoke at 11:35 a.m. at 
                        Springfield Township Fire Co. No. 44. In his 
                        remarks, he referred to U.S. Representative Curt 
                        Weldon. H.R. 2448, approved October 12, was 
                        assigned Public Law No. 102-406. A tape was not 
                        available for verification of the content of 
                        these remarks.