Honoring the life of each of the 9 fallen City of Charleston firefighters who lost their lives in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2007.

Whereas firefighters work devotedly and selflessly on behalf of the people of the United States, without regard for the peril or danger to themselves;

Whereas firefighters carry out the vital role of protecting and ensuring the safety of the public and their property;

Whereas on June 18, 2007, 9 brave men of the Charleston Fire Department selflessly paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community;

Whereas the firemen who perished had over 120 years of combined service in the fire department;

Whereas the events of June 18, 2007, constitute the single worst loss of firefighters since September 11, 2001;

Whereas Captain William Billy Hutchinson, Captain Mike Benke, Captain Louis Mulkey, Engineer Mark Kelsey, Engineer Bradford Brad Baity, Assistant Engineer Michael French, Firefighter James Earl Drayton, Firefighter Brandon Thompson, and Firefighter Melvin Champaign were heroes in the truest sense of the word; and

Whereas Charlestonians, South Carolinians, and Americans will forever be grateful for the service of these firefighters and mourn their loss: Now, therefore, be it