59–006 

110TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 110–325 

SUPPORTING FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE UNITED 

STATES 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2007.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. OBERSTAR, from the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H. Res. 592] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 

was referred the resolution (H. Res. 592) supporting first responders in the United States in their efforts to prepare for and respond 

to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, and affirming the goals and ideals of National First Responder Appreciation Day, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the resolution be agreed to. 

PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 592 is a resolution to support first responders in the 

United States in their efforts to prepare for and respond to natural 

disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man made disasters, and to 

affirm the goals and ideals of National First Responder Appreciation Day. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

Millions of Americans have benefited from the brave and courageous service of first responders across the Nation. Approximately 

670,000 police officers, 1,100,000 firefighters and 891,000 emergency medical technicians make up the nation’s first responder 

teams and have responded to crises such as Hurricane Katrina in 

2005; tornadoes in Florida and blizzards in Colorado in 2006; the 

Gunflint Trail fire in northeastern Minnesota in May 2007 and the 

Interstate 35W bridge collapse in August 2007. 


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According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial 

Fund, a total of 1,649 law enforcement officers died in the line of 

duty during the past 10 years, while 145 law enforcement officers 

were killed in 2006. According to the United States Fire Administration, from 1996 through 2005 more than 1,500 firefighters were 

killed in the line of duty, and tens of thousands were injured. 

The resolution supports the goals and ideals of National First Responder Appreciation Day. 

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 592 supports the work of first responders, identifies 

incidences at which first responders served with distinction and 

bravery, and reaffirms the goals and ideals of a National First Responder Appreciation Day. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On July 31, 2007, Representative Reichert introduced House Resolution 592. 

On August 2, 2007, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session and ordered the resolution reported 

favorably to the House by voice vote. 

RECORD VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives requires 

each committee report to include the total number of votes cast for 

and against on each record vote on a motion to report and on any 

amendment offered to the measure or matter, and the names of 

those members voting for and against. There were no recorded 

votes taken in connection with ordering H. Res. 592 reported. A 

motion to order H. Res. 592 reported favorably to the House was 

agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(I) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in this report. 

COST OF LEGISLATION

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 592 is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore does not have 

the force of law. As such, there is no cost associated with this resolution for fiscal year 2007, or for any fiscal year thereafter. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and 308(a) of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the 

resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under current law is required. 

2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes fundVerDate Aug 31 2005 01:54 Sep 15, 2007 Jkt 059006 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR325.XXX HR325

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ing, so no statement of general performance and objectives for any 

measure that authorizes funding is required. 

3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the 

resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding. Neither a 

cost estimate nor comparison for any measure that authorizes 

funding is required. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI

Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, H. Res. 592 does not contain any congressional 

earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined 

in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

With respect to (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, H. Res. 592 is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore does not have the force of law. As such, 

clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII does not apply. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

H. Res. 592 contains no Federal mandates. 

PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the 

report of any Committee on a bill or joint resolution to include a 

statement on the extent to which the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, or tribal law. The Committee states 

that H. Res. 592 does not preempt any state, local, or tribal law. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this resolution. 

APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the resolution does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104–1). 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

H. Res. 592 makes no changes in existing law. 

Æ 


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