[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17] [Senate] [Pages 22245-22246] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]FAMILY ABDUCTION PREVENTION ACT OF 2005 Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 994 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 994) to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to improve the ability of State and local governments to prevent the abduction of children by family members, and for other purposes. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, on October 26, 2006, the Esperanza fire engulfed five firefighters dispatched to battle an uncontrollable blaze. All five firefighters died as a result. Before it was extinguished, the fire consumed more than 40,000 acres of the southern California foothills and destroyed more than 30 homes. But while [[Page 22246]] the forests will eventually return and the homes will be rebuilt, we can never reclaim the lives of our fallen firefighters. Today I am cosponsoring a resolution with Senator Boxer to honor the firefighters and other public servants who bravely responded to the Esperanza fire. On November 5, 2006, I delivered a eulogy at the Memorial Service in San Bernardino, CA, held in honor of the five firefighters who lost their lives in the fire. I believe it is appropriate at this time to enter these remarks into the Congressional Record: I'm here to express gratitude to the five brave firefighters who lost their lives in the battle against the Esperanza fire. They gave the ultimate sacrifice. Their heroism will not be forgotten and so do their families' sacrifice as well. My heart goes out to you, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters of the five firefighters who perished from Engine Crew 57: Captain Mark Loutzenhiser, Jess McLean, Jason McKay, Daniel Hoover-Najera, and Pablo Cerda. These five men were on the front lines, protecting thousands of lives and tens of thousands of acres, when they were overwhelmed by the fire's flames. They are truly heroes. Mark Loutzenhiser, Engine Captain, was 43 years old. He had 21 years of service as a firefighter. Mark was loved and respected by so many in the Idyllwild community. To Maria, I know little can be said that mutes grief and overwhelming loss with one exception--five beautiful children--Mark and Maria's enduring legacy. To your five children, Jacob, Teesha, Savannah, and the twins Kyle and Seth, I say this: Your dad was a true hero. He was a coach, a mentor, a friend. He is great in all our eyes. And to Mark's parents, Russ and Polly: You can be so proud of his contributions. He made a difference. He leaves a legacy: a grateful community--a wife--five children. Jess McLean, Fire Engine Operator, was 27 years old. He had seven years of experience. To his mother, Cecilia: Jess was a thoughtful young man, a model son. I am so sorry for your loss. Jess's wife, Karen: You were married just three years ago. But those three years are packed with memories, dreams shared and you will find new strength because of these years. Jason McKay, Assistant Fire Engine Operator, 27 years old. He had five years of Forest Service experience. To Bonnie McKay, Jason's mother, you know that Jason lived out his boyhood dream of becoming a fireman. To his fiancee, Staci Burger, you know Jason as a brave and decent man. Carry that with you, always. Daniel Hoover-Najera, Firefighter, 20 years old and in his second season of firefighting. As a young man, he was determined to one day grow up and become a firefighter. To his mother Gloria Ayala, his stepfather Efren Ayala, his father and stepmother, Tim and Lisa Hoover, his brother Michael, his sister Monica, and his grandfather Patrick Najera, who helped raise him: I say this: Daniel will be missed by all those who knew him. He was a passionate young man, full of many talents, hopes and dreams. He was taken too young. But he leaves a strong heritage--hold onto it. Pablo Cerda, 23 years old when he lost his life in his second season with the Forest Service. To his father, Pablo, your son graduated from Riverside Community College's fire academy only last May. He paid his own way. His services, his terrible burns will not be forgotten by any of us. And to his older sister, Claudia, your brother Pablo will be remembered for his strength and dedication. Be proud of him always. The deaths of these five members of the Engine 57 crew represent a tremendous loss for this community, our State, and the nation. As we move forward from this painful tragedy, we must work to protect ourselves from another fire like. Just a few miles from here, in the mountains of the San Bernardino National Forest, are over a half million acres of bark beetle infested forest. Nestled among these trees are the homes of roughly 150,000 people. The five firefighters who lost their lives and the more than 2,500 firefighters who fought this fire had to prevent the flames from reaching the bark beetle infested areas, which would have likely caused a catastrophic fire taking with it, whole communities and thousands of homes. Governor Schwarzenegger, Representatives Lewis, Bono, Baca and I have fought for increased funding to protect our communities from hazardous fuels. We must recommit ourselves to this effort and remove these dead and dying trees and non-native brush that present such a great fire hazard. And our firefighters must have the tools and training to do their jobs. To the 34 families who lost your homes. I say this: We will help in any way we can. Our heartfelt feelings are extended to you. To the firefighters here today, we owe you no less. Know that we value your service and commitment to fire prone communities up and down the state. Finally, in closing--to the families of these five brave firefighters, I offer my sincerest and deepest condolences. My heart is truly with you. Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent a Feinstein amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment (No. 5192) was agreed to, as follows: amendment no. 5192 On page 1, line 5, strike ``Act of 2005'' and insert ``Act of 2006''. On page 6, line 1, strike ``fiscal year 2006'' and all that follows through line 2 and insert the following: ``fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010.''. The bill (S. 994), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows: (The bill will be printed in a future edition of the Record.) ____________________