RECOGNIZING OREGON FIRE STRIKE TEAMS

RECOGNIZING OREGON FIRE STRIKE TEAMS

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 9 (Thursday, January 16, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 9 (Thursday, January 16, 2025)] [House] [Page H205] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING OREGON FIRE STRIKE TEAMS (Ms. SALINAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Oregon fire strike teams who have deployed to southern California to help contain the ongoing wildfires. These fires are leaving a historic path of destruction in their wake. Already at least 25 people have died, thousands of homes and businesses have burned to the ground, and many more people have been displaced. As Oregonians, we know firsthand the devastation of wildfires. It makes sense that we would lend a hand to our neighbors to the south. The Oregon fire marshal has sent 21 strike teams and 370 individual firefighters to California to help contain these blazes. We are already hearing stories of their heroism. Just last week, a Marion County strike team was able to quickly act and save a family's home when it caught fire. We owe a debt of gratitude to these courageous men and women who are working 24-hour shifts away from their families and putting their lives on the line to help folks who are suffering right now. I will continue to support our firefighters and deliver the pay and benefits they have earned. I am thankful for these heroes from Oregon and for all those working day in and day out to stop these deadly blazes. ____________________