THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY KAVULICH, QUINN, GOODMAN, SAYLOR, DONATUCCI, ADOLPH, BAKER, BEAR, BOBACK, K. BOYLE, BRENNAN, BROOKS, V. BROWN, BURNS, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, COX, CULVER, CUTLER, DALEY, DEASY, DENLINGER, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FLECK, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GROVE, HAHN, HARHAI, HARKINS, HENNESSEY, HESS, HORNAMAN, JAMES, KIRKLAND, KNOWLES, KORTZ, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARSHALL, McGEEHAN, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MILNE, MIRABITO, MOUL, MUSTIO, NEILSON, NEUMAN, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, READSHAW, ROCK, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTARSIERO, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SONNEY, STABACK, SWANGER, TALLMAN, THOMAS, TOEPEL, TOOHIL AND YOUNGBLOOD, OCTOBER 3, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, OCTOBER 3, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Designating October 7, 2012, as "National Fallen Firefighters

Memorial Service Day" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, The United States Congress and the President of the

United States have designated the day of the annual National

Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service as a day to honor

firefighters and emergency services personnel who have

sacrificed their lives to save others; and

WHEREAS, The Federal Government commemorates the day and

remembers those firefighters who have given their lives to

protect life and property in these United States by lowering the

American flag on all Federal buildings to half-staff; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania should formally

join in recognizing firefighters who have paid the ultimate

sacrifice in this Commonwealth in responding to protect the

lives, homes, property and community of their fellow citizens;

and

WHEREAS, Fire departments, churches and other organizations

across the nation commemorate the National Fallen Firefighters

Memorial Service by participating in the second annual Bells

Across America effort or by sponsoring their own memorial

services or other commemorations over the weekend of October 6

and 7 that include having a moment of remembrance and the

ringing of bells to honor those who have served communities as

firefighters; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 100 firefighters and emergency

personnel courageously make the ultimate sacrifice in the line

of duty each year; and

WHEREAS, A total of 85 firefighters and emergency personnel

from across the nation, including five from Pennsylvania, will

be specifically remembered during the roll call at the National

Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on October 7, 2012, because

they had lost their lives in the line of duty in 2011; and

WHEREAS, The five firefighters and emergency services

personnel from Pennsylvania who will be honored at the National

Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be: Christian D.

Beaston, Jr., of the Hellam Fire Company, Derek Kozorosky of the

United States Air Force, Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa,

Japan, John J. Lackovic, Jr., of the Valley Forge Volunteer Fire

Company; Keith J. Rankin of the Lancaster Township Fire

Department and Edward N. Steffy of the Rothsville Volunteer Fire

Company; and

WHEREAS, The events of September 11, 2001, brought national

attention to the duties, responsibilities, hazards and

sacrifices faced by fire and emergency services personnel on a

daily basis; and

WHEREAS, People have come to more fully appreciate the

essential role that firefighters and other emergency personnel

play in the protection of lives and property in communities

within this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Most firefighters serve as volunteers and give their

time, efforts and talents to not only protecting homes,

businesses, churches and properties, but making efforts on an

almost daily basis to raise money to pay for training, equipment

and other expenses in operating local fire companies; and 

WHEREAS, The National Memorial Service marks the beginning of

the annual Fire Prevention Week observance aimed at reducing

deaths, injuries and property losses from fire, and it is of

major importance for all communities to increase their efforts

to reduce deaths, injuries and property losses from fire;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate October

7, 2012, as "National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service Day"

in Pennsylvania; and be it further 

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor those

firefighters and emergency services personnel from Pennsylvania

who gave their lives in 2011: Christian D. Beaston, Jr., of the

Hellam Fire Company, Derek Kozorosky of the United States Air

Force, Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, John J.

Lackovic, Jr., of the Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company, Keith

J. Rankin of the Lancaster Township Fire Department and Edward

N. Steffy of the Rothsville Volunteer Fire Company and express

condolences to members of their fire companies and departments

as well as their families, loved ones and friends for their loss

and sacrifice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives congratulate all

fire departments, companies, municipalities and other

organizations that organize memorial services and other special

events to commemorate National Fallen Firefighters Memorial

Service Day and urge all residents to participate in such events

to remember and thank all fire and emergency services personnel

who have served their communities.