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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 17, 2013 12:24 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Patty Kim |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution Designating May 4, 2013 as "International Firefighters Day" in Pennsylvania |
| MEMORANDUM TO: ALL HOUSE MEMBERS FROM: Representative Patty Kim RE: Cosponsor Resolution Designating May 4, 2013 as “International Firefighters Day” in Pennsylvania In the near future, I will introduce a resolution designating May 4, 2013 as “International Firefighters Day” in Pennsylvania. I ask all my colleagues to join with me in sponsoring and supporting this resolution. May 4 annually serves as International Firefighters Day. The worldwide celebration started in 1999 in Australia when a firefighter named J.J. Edmondson, in reaction to a tragic wildfire that claimed the lives of five firefighters, sent an email to his colleagues calling for an international holiday to honor the sacrifices and triumphs of firefighters everywhere. Since that time, International Firefighters Day has grown to become a date in which the world’s community can stand together to recognize and honor sacrifices made by all firefighters to guarantee safety within their communities. The observances helps thank current and past firefighters for their contributions and serves as a remembrance of those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to save and protect lives in their neighborhoods. This observance seems particularly important in Pennsylvania where, in 1736, Benjamin Franklin founded the first volunteer fire company, Union Fire Company, in Philadelphia, making Pennsylvania the birthplace of the volunteer fire service in North America. Further, Pennsylvania has approximately 2,400 fire companies, which amounts to the largest number of fire departments nationally. It also serves as a national leader in the number of career and paid personnel providing emergency services. In the Commonwealth, volunteers staff 95% of fire companies. Total volunteers number more than 70,000, which represents the largest number of volunteer firefighters in the nation Again, I hope you all join with me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. Thanks. |
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Introduced as HR280