III 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 251 

Honoring the firefighters and other public servants who responded to the 

fire in Charleston, South Carolina on June 18, 2007. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 22, 2007 

Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. DEMINT, Mr. DODD, Mr. MCCAIN, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr. KERRY, Mr. ISAKSON, Mrs. DOLE, Mr. 

SCHUMER, Mrs. CLINTON, Mr. BIDEN, and Mr. BURR) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring the firefighters and other public servants who responded to the fire in Charleston, South Carolina on 

June 18, 2007. 

Whereas at approximately 7:00 P.M. on June 18, 2007, a 

tragic fire started at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, 

South Carolina; 

Whereas, despite the flames that engulfed the building, the 

brave men and women of the Charleston Fire Department (Department) fulfilled their duty by rushing inside 

as others fled for their lives; 

Whereas the fire quickly grew out of control and trapped 2 

store employees inside; 


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•SRES 251 ATS 

Whereas the firefighters attempted to punch through the 

building walls in a selfless effort to save the lives of these 

employees; 

Whereas the roof of the building collapsed, trapping the firefighters inside; 

Whereas Captain William ‘‘Billy’’ Hutchinson, a 30-year veteran of the Department, lost his life in the fire; 

Whereas Captain Mike Benke, a 20-year veteran of the Department, lost his life in the fire; 

Whereas Captain Louis Mulkey, an 11-year veteran of the 

Department, lost his life in the fire; 

Whereas Engineer Mark Kelsey, a 12-year veteran of the Department, lost his life in the fire; 

Whereas Engineer Bradford ‘‘Brad’’ Baity, a 9-year veteran 

of the Department, lost his life in the fire; 

Whereas Assistant Engineer Michael French, a 11⁄2-year veteran of the Department, lost his life in the fire; 

Whereas Fire Fighter James ‘‘Earl’’ Drayton, a 32-year veteran of the Department, lost his life in the fire; 

Whereas Fire Fighter Brandon Thompson, a 4-year veteran 

of the Department, lost his life in the fire; 

Whereas Fire Fighter Melven Champaign, a 2-year veteran of 

the Department, lost his life in the fire; 

Whereas the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of these firefighters reflects the spirit of South Carolina, as well as 

the spirit of our great Nation; 

Whereas the United States has not experienced such a devastating loss of firefighters since the horrific events on 

September 11, 2001; and 


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•SRES 251 ATS 

Whereas a grateful Nation mourns the loss of these heroes 

and vows that their sacrifices were not made in vain: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) honors William ‘‘Billy’’ Hutchinson, Mike 

3 Benke, Louis Mulkey, Mark Kelsey, Bradford 

4 ‘‘Brad’’Baity, Michael French, James ‘‘Earl’’ 

5 Drayton, Brandon Thompson, and Melven Cham6 paign, who lost their lives in the course of their duty 

7 as firefighters, and recognizes them for their bravery 

8 and sacrifice; 

9 (2) extends its deepest sympathy to the families 

10 of these 9 brave heroes; 

11 (3) honors all the firefighters and other public 

12 servants who contributed to battling the fire; and 

13 (4) pledges to continue to support and to work 

14 on behalf of the firefighters who risk their lives each 

15 day to ensure the safety of all Americans. 

Æ 


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