PRINTER'S NO. 3236
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
832
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY OBERLANDER, ADOLPH, BURNS, CORBIN, BAKER, QUIGLEY,
WHEELAND, KIRKLAND, LONGIETTI, MILLARD, WARD, WHITE,
KAUFFMAN, KILLION, COHEN, TOOHIL, DUSH, SONNEY, PEIFER,
KNOWLES, HENNESSEY, VEREB, O'NEILL, STURLA, R. BROWN, THOMAS,
ROZZI, BOBACK, ROTHMAN, TOEPEL, REGAN, MILNE, SCHLEGEL
CULVER, GREINER, READSHAW, SACCONE, FARINA, LEWIS, FARRY,
COX, MURT, SCHLOSSBERG, V. BROWN, D. COSTA, KAVULICH, SANKEY,
MUSTIO, O'BRIEN, SNYDER, BENNINGHOFF, DiGIROLAMO, WATSON,
MAHONEY, GIBBONS, ROSS, HARHAI, MARSHALL, DIAMOND, PAYNE,
PHILLIPS-HILL, HARHART, GODSHALL, FEE, DeLUCA, WARNER,
BULLOCK, SAINATO, MARSICO, A. HARRIS, DEASY, HAHN, GOODMAN,
SAYLOR, PICKETT, McGINNIS, MENTZER, ENGLISH, HICKERNELL,
KINSEY, MAJOR, GROVE, RAPP, DONATUCCI, GILLEN, CALTAGIRONE,
BARRAR, YOUNGBLOOD, MCCLINTON AND NEILSON, APRIL 29, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 29, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and honoring firefighters throughout this
Commonwealth for their bravery, dedication and heroism and
designating May 4, 2016, as "Firefighters' Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has approximately 2,400 fire companies,
which amounts to the largest number of fire departments
nationally; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania serves as a national leader in the
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number of career and paid personnel providing emergency
services; and
WHEREAS, In this Commonwealth, volunteers staff 95% of all
fire companies with more than 50,000 volunteers, representing
the largest number of volunteer firefighters in the nation; and
WHEREAS, On average, 10 Pennsylvania firefighters die in the
line of duty every year; and
WHEREAS, Firefighters perform selfless tasks quietly and
often without the recognition they deserve, risking their lives
daily to protect the lives and property of the residents of this
Commonwealth; 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 residents and
property of this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The increased threat of terrorism, illicit drug labs
and hazardous material incidents have placed firefighters in
greater danger than ever before in the history of firefighting;
and
WHEREAS, Although Pennsylvania has always depended heavily on
its firefighters, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001,
and the heightened awareness of future threats have only
increased their important role as first responders; and
WHEREAS, The time that firefighters devote to protecting the
lives and property of the residents of this Commonwealth
represents time taken away from their family members; and
WHEREAS, May 4 annually serves as "International
Firefighters' Day," a worldwide celebration that started in 1999
in Australia when a firefighter named J.J. Edmondson, in
reaction to a tragic wildfire that claimed the lives of five
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firefighters, sent an e-mail to his colleagues calling for an
international holiday to honor the sacrifices and triumphs of
firefighters everywhere; and
WHEREAS, 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 in their efforts to guarantee safety within their
communities; and
WHEREAS, "International Firefighters' Day" serves as a time
to thank current and past firefighters for their contributions
and to remember those men and women who have made the ultimate
sacrifice to save and protect lives in their neighborhoods;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and
honor the bravery and sacrifice of firefighters in this
Commonwealth, extend thanks for their service and, on the
occasion of "International Firefighters' Day," designate May 4,
2016, as "Firefighters' Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all members
of the General Assembly and elected officials and residents
across this Commonwealth to make efforts to honor and remember
firefighters in Pennsylvania for their dedication, service and
sacrifice, including the giving of their lives, in order to
protect the lives and property of the residents of this
Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That such efforts may include wearing and
displaying blue and red ribbons pinned together, participating
in a memorial or recognition event, rising together in a public
meeting or gathering in honor of the sacrifices of firefighters
or by pausing for a minute at noon on the first Sunday in May as
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a sign of gratitude for their service.
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