[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 425 Engrossed in House (EH)]
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
November 5, 2003.
Whereas in late October 2003, Southern California simultaneously experienced a
number of devastating wildfires destroying thousands of homes, taking
many lives, and burning hundreds of thousands of acres of grasslands and
forests exceeding the devastation of any fires in the past century;
Whereas in the space of a few days, all of the resources of local firefighting
companies were called upon to man fire lines on first one and then on
many fronts;
Whereas firefighters were thrown into extraordinarily dangerous situations
because of the fast-moving, fuel- and wind-driven fires;
Whereas firefighters exhibited resilience and courage in continuing to stay on
the lines often in back-to-back shifts while knowing, in some instances,
that their own families were in danger or that their personal homes had
been lost and even giving the ultimate sacrifice of life;
Whereas those firefighters who were called initially were later assisted by
skilled and courageous pilots flying water-drop flights in the most
challenging wind and smoke conditions and by firefighters from
throughout the State of California and neighboring States;
Whereas additional emergency personnel, such as law enforcement and medical
personnel, have coordinated with local authorities and firefighters and
have performed beyond the call of duty in the preservation and
protection of human lives; and
Whereas members of the Armed Forces have once again met their country's call to
duty, providing valuable firefighting assets and assistance to
California's emergency response efforts; their actions are in keeping
with the finest traditions of United States military service: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes and honors those
firefighters and every public servant who participated in responding to the
October 2003, historically devastating, outbreak of wildfires in Southern
California and commends them for their dedicated service to the people of
California.
Attest:
Clerk.