Thanking Oregon Firefighters for Their Heroic Service

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. BYNUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the heroic firefighters from Oregon who are on the front lines fighting wildfires in California.

Firefighters from Clackamas, Linn, and Multnomah Counties have traveled hundreds of miles to help save lives and homes. The fires have been devastating. Unfortunately, we, too, have experienced this in Oregon.

As a mother that has had to evacuate her family, and as a businessowner that has had to close our doors due to dangerous smoke conditions, I am praying for all of the families impacted and for the safety of our first responders, but that is not enough.

We have to do more to prevent these fires from starting. Oregon's leaders in wildfire prevention tell me they need the resources to get an engine to every home that needs one, and they need to know that the water will flow when they need it.

To protect us, the government must protect them, especially when it comes to funding. I will work in Congress to ensure our responders have the resources they need and our families are supported in the aftermath of these devastating events.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source