HR0588

LRB096 13420 KTG 28149 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


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

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

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

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

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

 
 


 






HR0588
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LRB096 13420 KTG 28149 r




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    WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters undergo training, educate 
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others, and perform their duties at their own expense and only 
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for the benefit of knowing that someone was helped in some way; 
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and
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    WHEREAS, It is important to never forget the duties of our 
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Illinois volunteer firefighters; therefore, be it

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

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