[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 86 (Thursday, May 24, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6897-S6898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 215--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 25, 2007, AS ``NATIONAL
FIRST RESPONDER APPRECIATION DAY''
Mr. ALLARD (for himself, Mr. McCain, Mr. Casey, Mr. Cochran, Mr.
Enzi, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Graham, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Craig, and Mr.
Inhofe) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 215
Whereas millions of Americans have benefited from the
courageous service of first responders across the Nation;
Whereas the police, fire, emergency medical service, and
public health personnel (commonly known as ``first
responders'') work devotedly and selflessly on behalf of the
people of this Nation, regardless of the peril or hazard to
themselves;
Whereas in emergency situations, first responders carry out
the critical role of protecting and ensuring public safety;
Whereas the men and women who bravely serve as first
responders have found themselves on the front lines of
homeland defense in the war against terrorism;
Whereas first responders are called upon in the event of a
natural disaster, such as the tornadoes in Florida and the
blizzard in Colorado in December 2006, the wildfires in the
West in 2007, and the flooding in the Northeast in April
2007;
Whereas the critical role of first responders was witnessed
in the aftermath of the mass shooting at the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University, when the
collaborative effort of police officers, firefighters, and
emergency medical technicians to secure the campus, rescue
students from danger, treat the injured, and transport
victims to local hospitals undoubtedly saved the lives of
many students and faculty;
Whereas 670,000 police officers, 1,100,000 firefighters,
and 891,000 emergency medical technicians risk their lives
every day to make our communities safe;
Whereas these 670,000 sworn police officers from Federal,
State, tribal, city, and county law enforcement agencies
protect lives and property, detect and prevent crimes, uphold
the law, and ensure justice;
Whereas these 1,100,000 firefighters, both volunteer and
career, provide fire suppression, emergency medical services,
search and rescue, hazardous materials response, response to
terrorism, and critical fire prevention and safety education;
Whereas the 891,000 emergency medical professionals in the
United States respond to and treat a variety of life-
threatening emergencies, from cardiac and respiratory arrest
to traumatic injuries;
Whereas these 2,661,000 ``first responders'' make personal
sacrifices to protect our communities, as was witnessed on
September 11, 2001, and in the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina, and as is witnessed every day in cities and towns
across America;
Whereas according to the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial Fund, a total of 1,649 law enforcement officers died
in the line of duty during the past 10 years, an average of 1
death every 53 hours or 165 per year, and 145 law enforcement
officers were killed in 2006;
Whereas, according to the United States Fire
Administration, from 1996 through 2005 over 1500 firefighters
were killed in the line of duty, and tens of thousands were
injured;
Whereas 4 in 5 medics are injured on the job, more than 1
in 2 (52 percent) have been assaulted by a patient and 1 in 2
(50 percent) have been exposed to an infectious disease, and
emergency medical service personnel in the United States have
an estimated fatality rate of 12.7 per 100,000 workers, more
than twice the national average;
Whereas most emergency medical service personnel deaths in
the line of duty occur in ambulance accidents;
Whereas thousands of first responders have made the
ultimate sacrifice;
Whereas, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001, America's firefighters, law enforcement
officers, and emergency medical workers were universally
recognized for the sacrifices they made on that tragic day,
and should be honored each year as these tragic events are
remembered;
Whereas there currently exists no national day to honor the
brave men and women of the first responder community, who
give so much of themselves for the sake of others; and
Whereas these men and women by their patriotic service and
their dedicated efforts
[[Page S6898]]
have earned the gratitude of Congress: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate designates September 25, 2007, as
``National First Responder Appreciation Day'' to honor and
celebrate the contributions and sacrifices made by all first
responders in the United States.
Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise to introduce a resolution today
that will designate September 25 as National First Responder
Appreciation Day. I am pleased to be joined by my good friends and
colleagues, Senators McCain, Casey, Cochran, Enzi, Stevens, Lindsey
Graham, Craig and Chambliss.
The contributions that our Nation's 1.1 million firefighters, 670,000
police officers and over 890,000 emergency medical professionals make
in our communities are familiar to us all. We see the results of their
efforts every night on our TV screens and read about them everyday in
the paper. From recent tornados in the Southeast and wildfires in the
West, the tragic events at Virginia Tech, and the wrath of Hurricane
Katrina, our ``first responders'' regularly risk their lives to protect
property, uphold the law and save the lives of others.
While performing their jobs many first responders have made the
ultimate sacrifice. Over 100 firefighters are killed in the line of
duty every year. Tragically in 2006, 145 law enforcement officers were
killed in the line of duty as well. And though many might not think a
career in the emergency medical services, EMS, is dangerous, EMS
workers actually have an occupational fatality rate that is comparable
with that of firefighters and police officers.
Yet to recognize our first responders only for their sacrifices would
be to ignore the everyday contributions that they make in communities
throughout America. In addition to battling fires, firefighters perform
important fire prevention and public education duties, like teaching
our children how to be ``fire safe.'' Police officers don't simply
arrest criminals, they actively prevent crime and make our
neighborhoods safer and more livable. And if we or our loved ones
experience a medical emergency, EMTs are there at a moment's notice to
provide life-saving care.
In many ways, our first responders embody the very best of the
American spirit. With charity and compassion, these brave men and women
regularly put the well-being of others before their own, oftentimes at
great personal risk. Through their actions they have become heroes to
many. Through their example they are role models to all of us.
While various cities and towns have recognized the contributions made
by their local first responders by declaring a ``first responder day,''
there exists no national day to honor and thank these courageous men
and women. The time has come to give our first responders the national
day of appreciation that they deserve.
Designating September 25th as National First Responder Appreciation
day provides an opportunity for this institution, and the people of the
United States, to honor first responders for their contributions,
sacrifices and dedication to public service.
I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting passage of this
worthwhile resolution.
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