    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    WEST WARWICK FIRE VICTIMS--CONDOLENCES
    <>

    Whereas, on the night of February 20, 2003, a pyrotechnic display
    ignited a massive fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick,
    Rhode Island;

    Whereas 99 people have died as a result of the fire and an additional
    186 people were injured in the fire, many of whom remain
    hospitalized as of the date of the submission of this resolution
    with life-threatening burns and other injuries;

    Whereas the victims of the fire were residents of Rhode Island,
    Massachusetts, Connecticut, and several other States;

    Whereas the firefighters, police officers (particularly officers of the
    West Warwick Police Department who were the first to arrive on the
    scene), and medical personnel who responded to the fire performed
    heroically under horrific circumstances, and they risked their own
    lives to save many of the injured;

    Whereas, at hospitals in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, doctors,
    nurses, hospital staff, mental health professionals, and other
    health care workers toiled through the night and in the following
    days to care for the injured, and they continue to provide world-
    class care to victims of the fire who remain hospitalized;

    Whereas hospital care for victims of the fire was provided at Rhode
    Island Hospital, Kent County Hospital, South County Hospital, Fatima
    Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Roger
    Williams Hospital, Landmark Hospital, University of Massachusetts/
    Worcester Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Westerly Hospital,
    Shriners Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Charlton
    Hospital, and Newport Hospital;

    Whereas the local Red Cross, with 10 paid staff and over 400 dedicated
    volunteers, has played a critical role in offering comfort to the
    families of victims and coordinating services;

    Whereas State and local officials have responded to the fire and its
    aftermath quickly, effectively, and compassionately, and the people
    of Rhode Island and the Nation are grateful for their efforts;

    Whereas Governor Donald Carcieri of Rhode Island and West Warwick Town
    Manager Wolfgang Bauer have shown exceptional leadership under
    trying circumstances and their sensitivity to the families impacted
    by the tragedy is much appreciated; Lt. Governor Charles Fogarty and
    Maj. Gen. Reginald Centracchio, as Co-Chairs of the Emergency
    Management Advisory Council, have also played a crucial role in
    responding to the tragedy; and the Rhode Island Emergency Management
    Agency has impressively and effectively coordinated a myriad of
    State and local activities;

    Whereas area funeral directors and medical examiners have provided
    outstanding service throughout the tragedy;

    Whereas the staff of the local family resource center has helped the
    families of victims to access the services and information they need
    and provided care and comfort to hundreds of grieving family
    members;

    Whereas the people of Rhode Island and concerned citizens across the
    United States have shown incredible generosity in response

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    117 STAT. 2908

    to the tragedy, contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to
    victims' assistance efforts;

    Whereas many local businesses have provided victims and their families
    with crucial services from food to transportation, members of the
    Rhode Island Bar Association and Rhode Island Trial Lawyers
    Association have offered free assistance to victims and their
    families with immediate legal issues, and community mental health
    centers and mental health professionals have provided critical
    mental health care to victims and their families and other members
    of the community;

    Whereas Federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration,
    the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol,
    Tobacco, and Firearms, the Department of Health and Human Services,
    the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Small
    Business Administration, have offered assistance and expertise that
    has been extremely helpful to the State's emergency response to the
    tragedy;

    Whereas the West Warwick fire is only the most recent example of how
    deadly fire can be in nonresidential buildings;

    Whereas, in 2001, the last year in which full statistics are available,
    80 people were killed and 1,650 injured in fires in nonresidential
    buildings, not including the victims of the terrorist attacks on
    September 11, 2001; and

    Whereas, on February 17, 2003, 21 people were killed in a tragic
    stampede at the E2 Nightclub in Chicago, Illinois, and this tragedy
    and the West Warwick fire, which have deeply impacted persons
    throughout the United States, emphasize the critical need for
    enhancements in nightclub and concert hall safety: Now, therefore,
    be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
    That the Congress--
    (1) expresses its deepest condolences to the family members
    and friends who lost loved ones as a result of the tragic fire
    on February 20, 2003, at The Station nightclub in West Warwick,
    Rhode Island, and offers its hope for the quick and full
    recovery of those persons who were injured in the fire;
    (2) expresses immense gratitude for the efforts of countless
    emergency response personnel, local, State, and Federal
    officials, health care providers, volunteers, businesses, and
    citizens who have been part of the response to this tragedy; and
    (3) urges State and local officials and the owners of
    entertainment facilities to examine their safety practices, fire
    codes, and enforcement capabilities in light of this horrific
    tragedy and to take all necessary action to ensure that such a
    tragedy never befalls any community again.

    Agreed to March 13, 2003.

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    117 STAT. 2909