IV

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 298

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.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JULY 16, 1998

Ms. BROWN of Florida (for herself, Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania, Mrs. MEEK

of Florida, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. MILLER of Florida, Mr. FOLEY, Mr. CANADY of Florida, Mrs. FOWLER, Mr. BOYD, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida,

Mrs. THURMAN, Mr. DEUTSCH, Mr. MCCOLLUM, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr.

DAVIS of Florida, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, Mr. STEARNS, Mr. YOUNG of Florida, Mr. MICA, Mr. GOSS, Mr. SHAW, Mr. SCARBOROUGH, Mr.

GALLEGLY, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, and Mr. WELDON of Florida) submitted

the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee

on Transportation and Infrastructure

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
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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

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—
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1 (1) expresses deepest condolences to the State

2 and people of Florida for the losses suffered as a re3 sult of the wild land fires occurring in June and

4 July 1998;

5 (2) expresses support to the State and people of

6 Florida as they overcome the effects of the fires;

7 (3) commends the heroic efforts of firefighters

8 from across the Nation in battling the fires; and

9 (4) commends the many agencies of or estab10 lished by the Federal Government and the many

11 State and local government agencies that have con12 tributed vital support functions in response to the

13 fires.

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