Rep. Sutton speaks in support of H.Res. 731 to honor our nation's first responders

M. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 731, to recognize our nation's public servants for their contributions to our nation and our communities.

I commend our first responders for their tireless efforts to ensure our safety as they serve on our Nation's front lines.

These brave men and women are often the first ones on the scene and the last to leave.

Fire fighters in Lorain, Elyria, Barberton, Akron, Brunswick, Strongsville, and throughout the rest of my district and our nation deserve our deepest gratitude.

In spite of all of the budget cuts that our fire fighters face, they continue to put their lives on the line to save ours.

Far too many communities in the 13th District have had to lay off fire fighters.

In Lorain, 33 percent of the time, Fire Station No. 4 is closed. But again, even with these frequent closures, they still put their lives on the line.

Lorain fire fighters Shawn Lloyd and Dan Russell were injured as they pulled a 6 year-old-girl from a fire.

Four fire fighters from Elyria saved the life of 56-year-old Russell Bowles, who wasn't breathing and had no heartbeat. They used a defibrillator to bring him back to life and then rushed him to the hospital.

This past August, an Elyria Township fire fighter was injured by a gas tank explosion as he was responding to a house fire.

In Akron, Fire Captains Albert Bragg and Charles Twigg arrived at a house fire and were told someone was still in the home. Without hesitation, they ran into the house, found the man and carried him to safety.

A man in Brunswick was experiencing a type of cardiac arrest known as the `widow maker,' because it almost always results death. But, fire fighter Russ Merhaut and his fellow team members arrived on the scene and resuscitated him.

First responders not only keep us safe, but they also actively support local causes throughout our communities.

This year, Barberton police officers and fire fighters helped raise about $1,800 for the Youth in Action Fund during the Police versus Fire Olympics.

In Strongsville, the fire department plays an active role in Safety Town, a fire safety program. Safety Town helps prevent fires by educating the community's children about fire safety and prevention.

We can sleep soundly at night knowing that these men and women are here to serve and protect us, but all too often their service comes at a costly price. Each year, approximately 80,000 of our nation's fire fighters are injured, and last year, 103 fire fighters were killed.

Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice put their community and their neighbors above their own lives...

...and even though our departed fire fighters are no longer with us, the lessons they taught us will last forever.

Their nobleness and unrelenting allegiance to public service embodies the American spirit, and I cannot imagine better role models for the people in our communities.

For these reasons our nation's fire fighters and first responders deserve our continued praise and support.

House Resolution 731 allows us to express our great appreciation for the great men and women who serve on the front lines to protect our communities.

However, true support should come in the form of job stability. Protecting the jobs of our first responders is a top priority in ensuring the safety of all communities.

I was very pleased that language included in the Supplemental Appropriations Bill this year expanded the uses of SAFER grants to allow communities to retain and rehire fire fighters.

And, communities in my district are looking forward to applying for the SAFER grants that they so desperately need.

Given the economic hardships currently facing our country, SAFER grants are critically important to the well-being of our fire fighters and our communities.

Far too many communities in the 13th District have had to lay off fire fighters.

And, as we all know, these fire department closures cause response times to be longer. This can be risky for emergency callers, as well as for our fire fighters because a working fire has more time to grow and become more dangerous.

Lorain fire fighters need these SAFER grants, and Fire Chief Thomas Brown is ready and waiting to apply for them.

Elyria fire fighters need these SAFER grants, and Elyria Fire Chief Rich Benton is ready and waiting to apply for them.

In Akron, 38 fire fighters have recently been laid off...

Our fire fighters are people with mortgages and young children...

Akron fire fighters need these SAFER grants, and Fire Chief Larry Bunner is ready and waiting to apply for them.

Competition for the estimated $630 million for the entire country will be intense. To put this amount into perspective, Akron alone would need about $3 million to return all of its laid-off fire fighters for one year.

In 2008, 72 fire fighters protected Elyria, but today only 46 fire fighters are tasked with the duty.

And our Union presidents, like Dean Marks and Jon George, are working hard to preserve these jobs.

The IAFF and the OAPF are working hard to protect the jobs of these brave men and women.

Our nation's first responders can never be thanked enough for their efforts. Through this resolution, we recognize their brave work... it does not go unnoticed.

We salute the sacrifices and commitment of our state and local government officials for their efforts to keep our communities safe and deter acts of terrorism.

Let's get those SAFER grants out.