THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY SOLOBAY, BAKER, BELFANTI, BEYER, BOBACK, BRENNAN, BROWN, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, CONKLIN, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GODSHALL, GRELL, GRUCELA, HARRIS, HELM, KILLION, KOTIK, KULA, MAHONEY, MANN, MARSHALL, McCALL, McGEEHAN, McILVAINE SMITH, MELIO, MENSCH, MICOZZIE, MUNDY, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, M. O'BRIEN, PALLONE, PAYNE, PICKETT, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROAE, ROHRER, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SONNEY, STABACK, STURLA, SWANGER, TRUE, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WALKO, WATSON AND WHITE, MARCH 4, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 4, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Memorializing the Congress of the United States to recognize the

dedication and sacrifice of firefighters by establishing a

National Firefighters' Day.

WHEREAS, In 2007 there were an estimated 530,000 structure

fires in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 3,430 civilians and 118 firefighters

were killed in fires in 2007; and

WHEREAS, Fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters

combined; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters perform selfless tasks quietly and

often without recognition, risking their lives daily to protect

the lives and property of the citizens of this nation; and

WHEREAS, Changes in society and in the environment have

increased the dangers these individuals face daily in the

performance of their duties as protectors of the citizens and

property of this nation; and

WHEREAS, The increased threat of terrorism, illicit drug labs

and hazardous material incidents have placed firefighters in

greater danger than ever before; and

WHEREAS, The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the

heightened awareness of future threats have only increased the

role of firefighters as first responders; and

WHEREAS, The time that firefighters devote to protecting the

lives and property of citizens of this nation represents time

taken away from family members; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania call upon the Congress of the

United States to recognize the dedication and sacrifice of

firefighters by establishing a National Firefighters' Day; and

be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to

the President of the United States and to presiding officers of

each house of Congress and to each member of Congress from

Pennsylvania.