[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 18] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 23836-23837] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]REMEMBERING THE SACRIFICE OF FIVE FEDERAL FIREFIGHTERS ______ HON. JERRY LEWIS of california in the house of representatives Friday, December 8, 2006 Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to memorialize the heroism and devotion to duty of five U.S. Forest Service firefighters, who gave their lives in the line of duty protecting families and homes from the ravages of a ferocious wildfire that overwhelmed their truck. The 41st Congressional District includes a series of rugged mountain ranges with thousands of acres of national forest, but also thousands of homes and families. They include some of the most beautiful scenery in Southern California, but they are also home to some of the most dangerous wind-driven wildfires during our annual season of Santa Ana Winds. I have come to know and deeply respect the firefighters who protect these homes and fight these fires. They are among the most professional and resourceful in the nation. Their heroism and tenacity have made the mountains a safer place to live. So it is with the deepest sorrow that I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning the loss of five of these brave federal firefighters during the Esperanza Fire in the mountains east of San Bernardino. Those who gave their lives in the line of duty were Engine Captain Mark Loutzenhiser, Fire Engine Operator Jess McLean, Assistant Fire Engine Operator Jason McKay, Firefighter Daniel Hoover-Najera, and Firefighter Pablo Cerda. Mark Loutzenhiser, a father of three, was a vital member of his hometown of Idyllwild, California. He coached youth sports and was considered a friend by nearly everyone in town. He had 21 years of firefighting service and was a certified emergency management technician. He had previously worked as a hotshot crewman for the Vista Grande Hot Shots and also as a volunteer firefighter for Riverside County. He is survived by his children and his wife Maria Loutzenhiser, a Forest Service employee who joined Mark on the firelines until the birth of their children. Jess McLean had seven years of firefighting service and had been a hotshot for three years with the Vista Grande Hot Shots. He was a hometown hero--graduating from from Banning High School in 1997 and attending fire science classes at Crafton Hills College. He was a resident of Beaumont, CA. He is survived by his wife Karen McLean and his mother Cecelia McLean. Jason McKay spent four years as a volunteer firefighter in the High Desert town of Adelanto before joining the Forest Service five years ago. He also served on the Mojave Greens Type II crew. He was a certified EMT and earned an associate's degree in fire science. He was a resident of Phelan, also in [[Page 23837]] the High Desert. He is survived by his mother Bonnie J. McKay and his father Robert McKay. Daniel Hoover-Najera began his firefighting career with the Tahquitz Type II crew in 2005 and was serving as a seasonal Forest Service employee this year. He worked on the Tahquitz Type II crew in 2005 and was a seasonal employee in 2006. Just 20 years old, he graduated from San Jacinto Mountain View High School in 2004. He is survived by his mother Gloria Ayala and his father Timothy Hoover. Pablo Cerda was also in his second season with the Forest Service. He graduated from Los Amigos High School in Santa Ana in 2001 and attended Fire Academy of Riverside Community College. He is survived by his father Pablo Cerda, Sr. These five U.S. Forest Service firefighters on Engine Crew 57 on the San Jacinto Ranger District were dispatched early on the morning of Thursday, October 26 to fight the Esperanza fire. Taking a stand atop a ridge to protect a home, the crew and their engine were overcome when the fire raced up the slope. Mr. Speaker, it has been a little more than a month since the loss of these brave firefighters, and their neighbors have overwhelmingly shown their support through donations and help for their families. They are sorely missed by their communities, and by the greater community of federal firefighters. I ask my colleagues to please join in sending their families our condolences, as well as our sense of deep pride for those who dedicate themselves to such selfless public service. ____________________