From: Congressman Al Green To: Aster Eyob Sent: Wed, June 5, 2013 6:09:18 PM Subject: IN TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN HOUSTON FIREFIGHTERS IN TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN HOUSTON FIREFIGHTERS HON. AL GREEN OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, June 4, 2013 Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my deepest sympathies for the Houston firefighters who perished or were injured due to the blaze at the Southwest Inn and Bhojan Restaurant, which took place on May 31, 2013. Upon visiting the site of the horrific tragedy, I was saddened to see the remains of a building consumed by a pernicious inferno. I was also able to appreciate the courage and spirit necessary to be a firefighter at the scene on that fateful day. To date, while “in the line of duty,” four firefighters have died and many others have been hospitalized due to their injuries in what has become the most lethal day in the history of the Houston Fire Department (HFD). Among the deceased were: an eleven-year-veteran of the HFD, Captain Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Matthew Renaud, and a recent graduate from the fire academy, Anne Sullivan, along with Firefighter EMT Robert Garner and Engineer Operator EMT Robert Bebee. Our firefighters selflessly risked their lives and limbs to save as many civilians as possible. While tragedies such as these shock and emotionally devastate us, we should remember the extraordinary heroism displayed by our firefighters: They rushed to the scene battling flames on both the roof as well as within the motel and restaurant, thereby preventing a single civilian fatality. Mr. Speaker, since the fire, I have visited with firefighters from the HFD at the Houston Professional Firefighters Association Union Hall. I was truly inspired by their dedication to each other and devotion to public safety. As a result, I now have a greater appreciation for what is for me a chilling expression “in the line of duty.”
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:41:28 +0000