President Signs Bill Honoring Firefighters Lost in the Line

Washington, DC - On October 16, President Bush signed legislation, introduced in House by Rep. Michael Castle (R-DE) and in the Senate by Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), to honor firefighters and emergency personnel who courageously sacrificed their lives to save others across the United States.

 

The legislation (H.R. Res. 42 / S.J. Res. 18) directs the Federal Government to lower the American flag to half staff on all federal buildings to coincide with the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service held each year in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The annual service memorializes fallen firefighters who died in the line of duty the previous year. This year’s service took place on October 7th in a nationally televised ceremony.

 

"This year, more than any other year, we have seen an outpouring of selflessness and sacrifice. When terror struck our nation, our firefighters and emergency personnel responded with courage and determination, often laying their lives on the line for their fellow citizens," Castle said. "One simple, but very important way to honor these fallen firefighters, is to establish an annual day to lower the flag on federal buildings in order to remind all Americans of the patriotic service and dedicated efforts of our fire and emergency services personnel."

 

Emmitsburg is the home of the National Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial which was constructed in 1981 on the campus of the National Fire Academy. The memorial was officially designated by Congress as the national memorial to volunteer and career fallen firefighters in 1990.