Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the designation of a National Fire Fighter Appreciation Day to honor and celebrate the fire fighters of the United States.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 695, a resolution calling for the creation of a ``National Fire Fighter Appreciation Day''. I introduced this legislation to celebrate and honor the brave men and women of America's fire departments. Since 1735, professional and volunteer fire fighters have been an invaluable facet of our communities, towns, and cities. Ever vigilant, this Nation's fire fighters respond quickly to emergencies of all kinds and protect and save lives each and every day. From the earliest days of Benjamin Franklin's Union Fire Company to the famous fire departments of New York City, Chicago, and Boston, every fire station in this country has a proud history and tradition of distinguished service. Today, over one million fire fighters answer the call of duty and perform extraordinary acts of selflessness and valor without hesitation.

In my district alone, the Orange County Fire Authority serves 22 cities with approximately 1,000 fire fighting personnel protecting over one million residents. Southern California's beautiful, yet volatile environment is prone to natural disasters, flash floods, and wildfires. Every year, Orange County fire fighters place themselves on the front lines of these disasters and tirelessly work day and night to rescue endangered residents and prevent damage to cities and land. Recently, we watched as these fire fighters joined those from several other southwestern states to successfully battle the wildfires that raged across Southern California in October. I commend the tremendous bravery of Orange Country fire fighters and am proud to honor each one today on the Floor of the House.

As internal and external threats facing this country change constantly, the role of the fire fighter has also modified and expanded. Not only do fire fighters defend our homes and buildings from fire, the highly trained personnel of the fire department provide emergency medical services, hazardous material response, special rescue response, and terrorism response. Whether it be a daring rescue of a family trapped in a burning house, preventing a forest fire from spreading, responding to the scene of an accident, or providing medical assistance at the location of a terrorist attack, fire fighters significantly impact the lives of Americans every day. And, in some cases, fire fighters have paid the ultimate price and given their lives to protect their surrounding communities. We will never forget these fallen heroes.

In light of the exceptional service of fire fighters across this nation and with full recognition and great respect of their quiet courage and valor, I ask that you join me in support of this resolution to express the desire of the House of Representatives for the establishment of a ``National Fire Fighter Appreciation Day'' to be observed annually. While we can never thank these men and women enough, this proposed national day of honor is a fitting tribute to those that keep sentinel watch over our lives and property.

Madam Speaker, I'm proud to honor America's fire fighters today.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I certainly rise in very strong support of this resolution to honor and to celebrate America's firefighters.

Wherever and whatever the danger, every American knows that America's firefighters are just moments away from coming to their rescue, putting their lives on the line to save and protect others in their communities. And no one will ever forget the very vivid example of the bravery of our firefighters that was exhibited on September 11, 2001.

On that horrific day, as thousands were fleeing for their lives and running from buildings, we witnessed firefighters actually running towards the danger. As others were running away from the danger, which is a natural human instinct, the firefighters and first responders were running towards the danger and running into these buildings. And they did this knowing that many would most likely not come out. But these brave men and women are professionals who understood that it was their duty to protect their fellow citizens, and they did so. Their

brave actions on that day no doubt saved countless lives, and through those actions they earned the gratitude of those who were saved and the respect of the entire world.

Throughout this country, firefighters perform similar acts of heroism every day. And although we can never properly repay them for their dedicated service to our communities, we should take action to honor them for their hard work, their bravery and their dedication. Firefighters should never doubt that they have the eternal gratitude and respect of the American people that they serve so faithfully.

The establishment of a National Firefighter Appreciation Day will help remind everyone of the tremendous work that our firefighters do each and every day, and we should take the time to recognize those efforts.

Mr. Speaker, they prevent tragedies from happening, they respond instantly when tragedies occur, and they help pick up the pieces in tragedy's aftermath. They are there to help in some of the worst times in people's lives, guiding them through with their brave helping hands.

I certainly appreciate the work of the sponsors of this bill in bringing it to the floor. And I urge all of my colleagues to support the adoption of this important resolution so that we, the assembled Representatives of the American citizens, can show America's firefighters the support of a grateful Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I join with my colleagues in supporting National Fire Fighter Appreciation Day. This year, particularly as a Californian, it is appropriate that this was authored by a Californian and that I have the opportunity to personally thank the men and women who saved lives and property in California just a month and a half ago. But, of course, firefighters do that every day throughout the country, not just in wildfires that consume hundreds of thousands of acres.

Interestingly enough, firefighters also carry automatic external defibrillators and save lives every day. Firefighters are not just people who put out fires. They are people who train in the prevention of fire. They are people who train in emergency procedures that save lives. They are people who answer to so many calls in our community.

The fact is on 9/11 we understood that firefighters go in the direction where anyone, anyone, should be running from and they do so with no regard for their own safety. They do so because that is what a firefighter's job is. Firefighters do not shy away from riots. They do not shy away from the worst inferno, and they do not shy away from earthquakes in my home State and other disasters. In fact, the term ``American hero'' is best attributed to the men and women who every day train to go into fires to find and retrieve people and, in fact, not to leave the site until all life has been preserved and all property, to the best of their ability, has also been maintained.

Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in recognizing the heroism not just in California 2 months ago but, in fact, throughout the country of our firefighters and urge support and passage of National Fire Fighter Appreciation Day.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I yield 10 minutes to the gentlelady from Michigan, Mrs. Candice Miller.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 695) expressing the support for designation of a ``National Fire Fighter Appreciation Day'' to honor and celebrate the firefighters of the United States, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

As a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I am pleased to join my colleagues in support of this resolution to support the goals of National Fire Fighter Appreciation Day. H. Res. 695, as amended, was introduced on October 1, 2007, by Representative John Campbell. On November 8, 2007, the committee reported the bill amended by voice vote.

H. Res. 695 ensures that a day of recognition is granted to the courageous firefighters of the United States, who put their lives at risk in order to guarantee the safety of our citizens. Over the last few months as emergencies across this country have been declared and millions have been evacuated from their homes, our Nation's firefighters have rushed to serve and protect those whose lives and livelihoods were in jeopardy. It is important to commemorate their great efforts and service with a day of honor.

So I commend my colleague for sponsoring this measure and urge its swift passage.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation and yield back the balance of my time.