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Remarks of
The Honorable Bob Etheridge
2003 IAFF Legislative Conference
March 17, 2003

Thank you, Harold [Schlozburg, IAFF President] for your kind introduction.

Good afternoon, my name is Bob Etheridge, and it is my honor to represent the 2nd District of North Carolina, which encompasses part of Raleigh and its surrounding area.

I am pleased to join you today because for over 85 years, the International Association of Fire Fighters has served as the voice of America's fire fighters. As an organization, you are responsible for almost every advance in the fire and emergency services in the 21st Century. Thank you for all that you do to protect your communities, and thank you for allowing me to join you today.


What is it that makes a man or woman want to rush into a building or out into the wilderness to challenge a hot, searing blaze?

What is it that compels a man or woman to form a line and battle a raging fire?

Is it for glory and fame? No. You perform these heroic acts for a different and noble purpose.

Benjamin Franklin in his essay "Brave Men at Fires," explained the unspoken creed of all fire fighters, when he wrote: "neither Cold nor Darkness will deter good People, who are able, from hastening to the dreadful Place, and giving their best Assistance to quench the Flames." In the best traditions of humanity, you serve because you feel compassion for those in need and you are brave enough to defy dangerous consequences to help them.

Not long ago, we romanticized fire fighters rescuing cats from trees. Now, you must be ready to respond to a biological attack or other weapons of terror.

Now more than ever, fire fighters are working longer, harder hours, uncertain of what danger lies ahead.


In all things, our families are our backbone. And the families of fire fighters must suffer through many nights worrying about their loved one's safe return. But sometimes tragically their loved ones to do not return.

To help those families deal with their loss, Congress created the Public Safety Officer Death Benefit, which provides families with a modest one time benefit of about $260,000. But, for twenty-five years, too many families have been denied these benefits because of a technicality in the law.

As you all know, among the greatest threats to fire fighters are fatal heart attacks and strokes.

Just in the past year, three North Carolina fire fighters were killed by heart attacks while on duty. While grieving the loss of one of his colleagues, a young fire fighter in my District wrote and asked me to investigate this issue and I was surprised by what I learned.

Under current law, if a fire fighter is crushed by a falling beam and dies while fighting a fire, his or her family will receive this benefit. But, if a fire fighter suffers a fatal heart attack or stroke while performing his or her duties his or her family receives nothing. This is unfair.


Last year, with my friend Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland, Republican Congressman Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania, the founder of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, and a host of others, I introduced the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act to correct this glitch in the law. This legislation would allow the families of public safety officers who are killed while on duty or within 24 hours of participating in a training exercise or responding to an emergency situation to receive these benefits.

We were able to pass this bill through the House, but it stalled in the Senate.

But despite this setback, we refuse to quit.


This year, we have reintroduced our bill in the House as H.R. 919. It already has over 80 cosponsors, both Democrats and Republicans, and more are signing on each day. Companion legislation has also been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate.

Now, let me be up front with you. There's a small minority out there, who oppose this bill. They say H.R. 919 costs too much, it is too broad, or there's not enough proof that heart attacks that kill fire fighters aren't caused by other factors.

My friends, this bill would have minimal impact on the federal budget. And if anyone says that when you put on your turnout gear and rush into a fire - when you can't see from all the smoke, and you feel that incredible heat - if they say you're heart and body aren't affected they're wrong.

H.R. 919 is the thing to do.

You can be sure that our supporters will not rest, will not take no for answer, and will work every legislative angle to pass this bill.

You and your families deserve no less.

Scripture teaches us that there is no greater love than to give one's life for another. Firefighters embody the common values to which all Americans aspire, courage, commitment, teamwork, trust, and selflessness. It is this love and these characteristics that inspire you to put on your boots and helmet, and jump on to that truck when the alarm bell rings.

You never complain about your duties, you just do them, heroically.

And all you ask for in return is good equipment to help you do your job.

All you ask for are the resources to help you train.

All you ask for is for someone to help care for your families should some harm come to you.

This final point is made so eloquently in the last lines of the Fire Fighter's Prayer:

And if, according to my fate, I am to lose my life;
Please bless with Your protecting hand my children and my spouse.

As fire fighters, you hold a special place in the hearts of every American young and old. Our children idolize you. At neighborhood parades they ask their fathers and mothers to hold them up so they can see the fire truck ride by and wave at their heroes.

Many of you in this room were once held up by your parents as the fire truck drove by. And you dreamed. Today, you have the honor of fulfilling that dream.

As adults the allure and pageantry of fire fighters often fades and is forgotten. Yet, we still look up to you and the work you do because we understand your mission. We know the risks you take and the dangers you face when we call on you for help.

To Americans, especially in the wake of September 11th, you are seen with new eyes, as you truly are - as our hometown heroes.

I am proud to stand with you and your families.

I know you are going to canvas Congressional offices tomorrow. I want you to tell everyone you meet: Support H.R. 919. For your families. For your peace of mind.

Thank you for allowing me to join you today.

 

   
   
   
   

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