1Commemorating the first anniversary of the 19 Granite Mountain
2Hotshot members who gave their lives in the line of duty.

3WHEREAS, June 29, 2014, is the one year anniversary of the
4start of the wildfire that claimed the lives of 19 firefighters;
5and

6WHEREAS, On June 29, 2013, a wildfire was started by an
7apparent lightning strike; and

8WHEREAS, The wildfire began to spread through Yarnell,
9Arizona; and

10WHEREAS, At least 2,000 acres were covered by the wildfire by
11Sunday, June 30, 2013, when the temperature reached triple-
12digits with low humidity and windy conditions; and

13WHEREAS, The unexpected change in weather on Sunday afternoon
14precipitated the deadliest single day for United States

1firefighters since September 11, 2001; and

2WHEREAS, The Granite Mountain Hotshots are an elite group of
3firefighters specializing in attacking wildfires that endanger
4life and property; and

5WHEREAS, On June 30, 2013, 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots,
6while working on the front lines of the Yarnell Hill wildfire,
7died in the line of duty when the weather suddenly changed and
8the wind shifted, causing the wildfire to overtake them after
9deploying their personal fire shelters; and

10WHEREAS, The 19 Hotshot members whose ages ranged from 21 to
1143 left behind 10 widows, 3 fiancées, 10 children and 3 unborn
12children; and

13WHEREAS, One of the Hotshots was twenty-three year old Robert
14Caldwell who was born in Bucks County, and resided there until
15about 15 years ago, when his family moved to Arizona; therefore
16be it

17RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
18Commonwealth of Pennsylvania commemorate and honor these 19
19heroes: Andrew Ashcroft, Robert Caldwell, Travis Carter, Dustin
20Deford, Chris MacKenzie, Eric March, Grant McKee, Sean Misner,
21Scott Norris, Wade Parker, John Percin, Jr., Anthony Rose, Jesse
22Steed, Joe Thurston, Travis Turbyfill, William Werneke, Clayton
23Whitted, Kevin Woyjeck and Garret Zuppiger, for their great
24bravery and sacrifice in the face of dire situations; and be it
25further

26RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
27Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognize the firefighters who put
28themselves in dangerous situations to protect innocent people
29and property every day, and especially the Granite Mountain
30Hotshots who sacrificed their lives to protect the citizens of

1their community; and be it further

2RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
3the Prescott Fire Department, 501 6th Street, Prescott, AZ
486301, to be distributed to the families of the fallen 19
5Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters.