TITLE: In memory of the 19 members of the Prescott, Arizona, Fire Department's Granite Mountain Hotshots killed in the Yarnell Hill fire.

SUMMARY: In memory of the 19 members of the Prescott, Arizona, Fire Department's Granite Mountain Hotshots killed in the Yarnell Hill fire.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, All Americans are mourning the tragic loss of 19 brave men from the Prescott Fire Department's Granite Mountain Hotshots, who died on June 30, 2013, while battling the 2,000-acre Yarnell Hill fire northwest of Phoenix, Arizona; and WHEREAS, Members of an elite squad working on the front lines to protect lives and homes, these courageous firefighters were trained to be on the ground for up to 21 days without a break, and to race into fire carrying 40 pounds of gear in an effort to keep the flames from spreading by digging deep trenches and clearing the ground of potential fuel; they met strict standards of physical fitness in order to be able to conduct operations under difficult conditions, often in roadless terrain; the only "hotshot" crew in the country organized through a city fire department, the group joined the battle against the Yarnell Hill fire after having spent weeks helping to contain fires in New Mexico and on the outskirts of Prescott; and WHEREAS, The firefighters who perished were Andrew Ashcraft, Robert Caldwell, Travis Carter, Dustin Deford, Christopher MacKenzie, Grant McKee, Sean Misner, Scott Norris, Wade Parker, John Percin, Anthony Rose, Jesse Steed, Joe Thurston, Travis Turbyfill, William Warneke, Clayton Whitted, Kevin Woyjeck, Garret Zuppiger, and unit superintendent Eric Marsh; Brendan McDonough, the 20th member of the team, was positioned at a lookout point and radioed to alert the others to a sudden change in wind direction just before catastrophe struck; he survives to carry on their memory; and WHEREAS, Selflessly dedicated to the safety and well-being of their fellow citizens, 19 Americans gave their lives in the line of duty, and their sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the perils faced by all firefighters and the immeasurable debt we owe to the heroes who answer this noble calling; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the lives of the 19 men of the Granite Mountain Hotshots killed in the Yarnell Hill fire and extend deepest condolences to their loved ones, their colleagues, and their community; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Prescott Fire Department and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of the firefighters lost in the Yarnell Hill fire. Larson Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 75 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on July 25, 2013. Chief Clerk of the House