HR0588 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0588 LRB096 13420 KTG 28149 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, September 11th is known throughout the country and recognized by the State of Illinois as National Firefighters Day to honor the estimated 1,140,900 firefighters that serve across the United States; and

WHEREAS, It is largely unknown that for every firefighter in the country there are roughly 3 volunteer firefighters, and in the State of Illinois, which has an estimated 45,000 firefighters, roughly 31,000 are volunteer firefighters; and

WHEREAS, Just as all our firefighters are courageous, volunteer firefighters serve hundreds of communities in Illinois and face the same dangers with the same amount of bravery; and

WHEREAS, In the past 10 years, there has been an average of 1,684,200 fires in the United States each year; an average of 3,597 Americans lose their lives each year in fire-related tragedies and, of them, 107 are heroic firefighters dying in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, These firefighters do not lose their lives in vain but do so at the attempt to save lives, property, and the general well being of others; and

WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters undergo training, educate others, and perform their duties at their own expense and only for the benefit of knowing that someone was helped in some way; and

WHEREAS, It is important to never forget the duties of our Illinois volunteer firefighters; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the day of September 11th as Illinois Volunteer Firefighters' Day and thank the men and women of volunteer fire services who devote themselves to the protection of others at the risk of their own lives day after day by maintaining a constant state of readiness in the battle against fires and other life threatening conditions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to David B. Foreman, State Fire Marshal, and John Swan, President of the Illinois Firefighters Association.