Untitled Document

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

January 14, 2004

Contact: Sara Lang
Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge Celebrates with Hometown Heroes at Breakfast

RALEIGH - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) and public safety officers from around North Carolina will gather on Thursday, January 22nd for a breakfast to celebrate the passage of Etheridge's Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefit Act. The new law will extend federal survivor benefits to the families of firefighters, police officers and emergency workers, who die of heart attack or stroke while in the line of duty.

"This new law is a victory for the families of our hometown heroes who work every day to keep our communities safe," Etheridge said. "This event is an opportunity to celebrate that accomplishment, but also to celebrate those who inspired it - our firefighters, our police officers and our emergency workers."

The breakfast will be held on Thursday, January 22nd at 9 a.m. at the Kerr Scott Building at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Those who wish to attend are asked to RSVP to Jake Parker in Rep. Etheridge's office at 1-888-262-6202. Breakfast will cost $9 per person.

This legislation is rooted in North Carolina, born out of a letter written to Etheridge by Mike Williams of Bunnlevel, who works as the assistant chief of Flat Branch Volunteer Fire Department and in the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and inspired by the death of a North Carolina firefighter.

Etheridge's legislation was endorsed by more than 50 organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Congressional Fire Services Institute. IAFF called the passage of the Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefit Act a "major victory," and FOP said the passage was "a great victory for law enforcement and other public safety officers, and even more so for the families of our fallen brothers and sisters."

Etheridge, who serves on the Select Committee on Homeland Security in the U.S. House of Representatives, will also update first responders on the issues facing the upcoming session of Congress.