Schaitberger opened the 19th IAFF Legislative Conference Monday morning at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill Hotel. But before they headed out, firefighters heard Monday afternoon from other Congressmen who support the FIRE Act and promised to keep it going. When President Bush finalizes his 2002 budget sometime this fall, it will go to Congress, where Senators and Representatives will wrangle with how to spend the country's money. I don't care what the President says or anyone says. They are the first to respond and the last to leave.
Firefighters deserve the same support.
I'm grateful that we did. Even though you've got a dangerous job, your country should try to make the job as safe as we can make it. Sen. Daschle drove that point home. He passionately recounted the firefighters who died fighting a blaze in Keokuk, Iowa. I can think of no finer salute that we can make to your service and commitment than if, someday, we can turn the pages and find no name listed in the Last Alarm.