Expressing condolences to the families and loved ones of firefighters Matthew Renaud, Robert Bebee, Robert Garner, and Anne Sullivan and standing in solidarity with their families, members of the Houston Fire Department, and entire Houston community, as they mourn the loss of these 4 remarkable and selfless heroes who represented the best of the Houston community and exemplify the qualities of firefighters serving communities throughout the Nation.

Whereas the mission of the Houston Fire Department is to serve with courage, commitment, and compassion, which were demonstrated through the actions of firefighters Matthew Renaud, Robert Bebee, Robert Garner, and Anne Sullivan on May 31, 2013; Whereas the Firemen’s Creed states, I have no ambition in this world but one and that is to be a firefighter. … But, above all, our proudest endeavor is to save lives of men the work of GOD himself Whereas in 2000, Kimberly Ann Smith became the first female Houston firefighter who died in the line of duty along with firefighter Lewis Mayo III; Whereas March 14, 2012, was the last time the City of Houston lost a firefighter in the line of duty when Senior Captain Thomas Dillion died; Whereas 74 years have passed since the last time more than 2 fighters lost their lives in the line of duty when Edgar Grant, Harry Oxford, and John Little were killed when their engine was struck by a train; Whereas on May 31, 2013, the 5-alarm fire that engulfed a Houston motel and restaurant is now the deadliest fire to firefighters in the 118-year history of the Houston City Fire Department; Whereas captain EMT Matthew Renaud of Station 51, engineer operator EMT Robert Bebee of Station 51, firefighter EMT Robert Garner of Station 68, and probationary firefighter Anne Sullivan of Station 68 died in the line of duty while fighting that deadly fire when the structure collapsed; Whereas Matthew Renaud of Station 51 began his career with the Houston Fire Department in October of 2001 and, in addition to Fire Station 51, served out of Stations 39, 83, 73, 37, 60, and 35; Whereas engineer operator EMT Robert Bebee of Station 51 began his career with the Houston Fire Department in August of 2001 and in addition to Fire Station 51, has served out of Stations 37, 40, 10, and 48; Whereas firefighter EMT Robert Garner of Station 68 began his career with the Houston Fire Department in October of 2010 and has served out of Fire Station 68 since joining the department; Whereas probationary firefighter Anne Sullivan of Station 68 graduated from the Houston Fire Department Academy in April 2013 and was assigned to Fire Station 68, and is the second female firefighter to die in the line of duty in the history of the Houston Fire Department; Whereas the bravery, devotion to duty, and love of community of these fallen heroes has forever earned them a place in the hearts and memories of the citizens of Houston, Texas, because they willingly risked their lives to protect us, and are a testament to the spirit of public service embodied by firefighters throughout the Nation; Whereas these fallen heroes will be missed by all, but especially by those who knew them best, loved them most, and will remember them simply as husbands, a daughter, fathers, a sister, brothers, sons, colleagues, and friends; Whereas probationary firefighter Anne Sullivan of Station 68 was a gifted athlete who played soccer and was a cross country runner who focused her life’s ambition upon graduating from high school to become a firefighter and began her quest by joining the Wharton County Junior College Fire Academy and after graduation was admitted as a cadet at the Houston Fire Department Academy; Whereas Firefighter EMT Robert Garner of Station 68 was proud to call himself a Houston Firefighter who sought out this honor after leaving the United States Air Force where he honorably served his country and completed two tours of duty in Iraq and started his fire department career at the Val Jahnke Fire Academy; Whereas captain Matthew Renaud who serviced the Houston Fire Department for 11½ years after joining in October of 2001 and was assigned to Station 51 upon graduation from the Academy, and was awarded the Unit Meritorious Medal for saving the life of a woman who had been trapped by an apartment fire; and Whereas engineer operator EMT Robert Bebee of Station 51 graduated from Dobie High School in Southwest Houston in 1990 and began his fire department career at the Val Jahnke Fire Academy on August 6, 2001, and served the majority of his career at Station 51 with honor and distinction: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives expresses its condolences to the families and loved ones of firefighters Matthew Renaud, Robert Bebee, Robert Garner, and Anne Sullivan and stands in solidarity with their families, members of the Houston Fire Department, and entire Houston community, as they mourn the loss of these 4 remarkable and selfless heroes who represented the best of the Houston community and exemplify the qualities of firefighters serving communities throughout the Nation.

Summary: Expresses condolences to the families and loved ones of firefighters Matthew Renaud, Robert Bebee, Robert Garner, and Anne Sullivan. Expresses solidarity with their families, members of the Houston (Texas) Fire Department, and the entire Houston community in mourning their loss.