Fallen Heroes Flag Act of 2010

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 415) to provide Capitol-flown flags to the immediate family of fire fighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, and other rescue workers who are killed in the line of duty.

I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous matter in the Record on the consideration of this bill.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, there are brave public servants who selflessly put their lives at risk for the protection of others. On rare occasions, these men and women make the ultimate sacrifice. This bill will provide for a simple and eloquent tribute to these fallen heroes.

H.R. 415 would provide a flag flown over the United States Capitol to the immediate family of a firefighter, law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, and other rescue workers who die in the line of duty. The flag would be presented by the House Member representing the family.

The family would also receive a certificate signed by the Speaker of the House and the Representative presenting the flag, and prepared by the Clerk of the House, expressing sympathy on behalf of the House of Representatives. There would be no cost at all to the family.

A United States flag flown over the Capitol is a simple expression of national sympathy and gratitude. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in recognizing the heroism of these amazing men and women by supporting H.R. 415, the Fallen Heroes Flag Act.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I also would like to thank my friend, Peter King from New York, for this thoughtful bill and my ranking member for his cooperation and support. I urge a ``yes'' vote for again this courteous bill to our fallen heroes that paid the ultimate sacrifice.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 415, the Fallen Heroes Flag Act.

I introduced this legislation to honor the brave rescue workers and law enforcement agents who lost their lives protecting their fellow Americans. While we cannot make up for the loss of these heroes, my bill will allow members of Congress to extend a gesture of sympathy and gratitude to the immediate family.

The Fallen Heroes Flag Act allows members of Congress to honor any deceased fire fighter, law enforcement officer, emergency technician, or other rescue worker who died in the line of duty by providing to the family, at their request, a flag flown over the United States Capitol. The flag will be accompanied by a certificate expressing a message of sympathy, that is signed by the Speaker of the House and the Representative providing the flag.

Our rescue workers and law enforcement agents commit selfless acts every day for our safety. It is truly a tragedy when one of their lives is lost while acting to save another's. They should be honored for their heroism and my legislation provides that opportunity. I am pleased that the Fallen Heroes Flag Act has been brought to the House floor. I fully support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 415, authored by the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. King), allows the Representative of the immediate family of deceased emergency personnel who are killed in the line of duty to provide the family with a Capitol-flown flag at their request. These families would also receive a certificate bearing an expression of condolence signed by the Speaker, as well as by the Representative providing the flag.

Nine years later, the tragic events of September 11 are still a painful reminder of the sacrifices made daily by our first responders, including our firefighters, our law enforcement officers, our emergency technicians, and other rescue workers. These fallen heroes and their families deserve our appreciation, our thanks, and our honor for their sacrifice, and this resolution in a simple way will enable us to show that gratitude.

I urge my colleagues to join in supporting H.R. 415.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.