`[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 298 Referred in Senate (RFS)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 298


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 21, 1998

 Received and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing deepest condolences to the State and people of Florida for 
  the losses suffered as a result of the wild land fires occurring in 
   June and July 1998, expressing support to the State and people of 
 Florida as they overcome the effects of the fires, and commending the 
 heroic efforts of firefighters from across the Nation in battling the 
                                 fires.

Whereas during June and July 1998, wild land fires destroyed approximately 
        500,000 acres of land in northeast and central Florida, having an 
        aggregate value of more than $276,000,000;
Whereas the fires have affected 67 counties in the State of Florida;
Whereas the President of the United States issued a major disaster declaration 
        for the State of Florida;
Whereas the fires have damaged at least 367 homes and 33 businesses;
Whereas the fires have caused business closures and have aggravated drought 
        conditions, which will have a long-term impact on the economy of the 
        region;
Whereas the fires have caused injuries to at least 95 people, the majority of 
        whom are firefighters;
Whereas approximately 7,000 firefighters from 46 States have braved extreme 
        conditions to assist firefighters in Florida in fighting the fires;
Whereas many agencies of or established by the Federal Government, including the 
        Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Forest Service, the Department 
        of Defense, the Department of Transportation, AmeriCorps, the Small 
        Business Administration, the General Services Administration, the 
        National Guard, the American National Red Cross, and the Civil Air 
        Patrol, have contributed vital support functions in response to the 
        fires; and
Whereas many State and local government agencies have also contributed vital 
        support functions in response to the fires: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) expresses deepest condolences to the State and people 
        of Florida for the losses suffered as a result of the wild land 
        fires occurring in June and July 1998;
            (2) expresses support to the State and people of Florida as 
        they overcome the effects of the fires;
            (3) commends the heroic efforts of firefighters from across 
        the Nation in battling the fires; and
            (4) commends the many agencies of or established by the 
        Federal Government and the many State and local government 
        agencies that have contributed vital support functions in 
        response to the fires.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 20, 1998.

            Attest:

            Passed the House of Representatives July 20, 1998.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.`