Untitled Document

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

January 22, 2004

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

Etheridge Celebrates with Hometown Heroes at Breakfast

RALEIGH - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) and nearly 200 public safety officers from around North Carolina gathered today for a breakfast to celebrate the passage of Etheridge's Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefit Act. The legislation, which was signed into law in December, extends 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.

"What a great day for North Carolina and for our hometown heroes!" Etheridge said. "September 11th reminded us that we need only look to our local firefighters, police officers and emergency workers to find our hometown heroes. Every day these men and women protect our families and possessions, keep our streets safe, and are the first to respond to an emergency. The Hometown Heroes Act is one very important way in which we may pay tribute to our first responders and their families for their tireless efforts to protect our communities. Today, I'm proud to celebrate this victory with our very own hometown heroes."

Etheridge was joined today by representatives of nearly 40 police, fire and emergency departments from around North Carolina, including Jeff Cash of the National Volunteer Fire Council and Don Penix, state president of the Fraternal Order of Police. Tim Bradley of the Office of the State Fire Marshal presented Etheridge with a miniature statue of the state's Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Sean Carroll of the Congressional Fire Services Institute presented Etheridge with a fire hatchet in honor of his leadership on the legislation, and Paul Miller, the executive director of the N.C. State Firemen's Association, presented Etheridge with a plaque of appreciation.

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. Heart attacks and strokes represent a significant risk among public safety officers, accounting for nearly half of firefighter deaths each year.

The Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) was created by Congress in 1976 to offer peace of mind to men and women seeking careers in public safety and to make a strong statement about the value American society places on the contributions of those who serve their communities in potentially dangerous situations. Prior to the passage of Etheridge's legislation, the benefit, which is administered by the Department of Justice, was routinely denied to the families of officers who died of heart attack or stroke in the line of duty.