Senate Bill 0084

    Florida Senate - 1999        (NP)                        SR 84

    By Senator Geller





    29-73-99

  1                    Senate Resolution No.     

  2         A resolution commending the firefighters who

  3         battled the Florida wildfires during May, June,

  4         and July, 1998.

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  6         WHEREAS, wildfires invaded more than one-third of the

  7  counties in this state during May, June, and July, 1998,

  8  charring land from the Apalachicola National Forest to the

  9  Intracoastal Waterway and from the Okefenokee Swamp to Cape

10  Canaveral, and

11         WHEREAS, the outbreak of more than 2,200 drought-fueled

12  wildfires in 1998 burned more than one-half million acres and

13  damaged or destroyed an estimated 340 homes and 33 businesses

14  in the worst series of wildfires that this state has

15  experienced in more than 50 years, and

16         WHEREAS, the damage to this state would have been far

17  worse if it were not for the tireless efforts of more than

18  5,000 firefighters from across Florida and more than 44

19  states, representing more than 150 fire-fighting units from

20  municipal, county, state, federal, and multi-state agencies,

21  and

22         WHEREAS, these firefighters risked their lives to save

23  lives and property and truly represent the best traits of

24  humanity, heroism, sacrifice, and the spirit of service to

25  others, and

26         WHEREAS, although words cannot express the heartfelt

27  gratitude that the residents and visitors in this state feel

28  for the dedication of these brave firefighters and their noble

29  profession, it is fitting that the Senate pause to pay them

30  tribute, NOW, THEREFORE,

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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida Senate - 1999        (NP)                        SR 84
    29-73-99




  1  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

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  3         That the Florida Senate commends the firefighters from

  4  throughout this state and nation for their heroism and

  5  tireless efforts to fight the wildfires that occurred across

  6  this state during the summer of 1998.

  7         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Florida Senate

  8  encourages the residents of this state to remember these brave

  9  individuals in their thoughts and prayers.

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