WHEREAS, Firefighters are part of an unselfish organization of men and women who hold devotion to duty above personal risk, and count dedication to service above personal comfort and convenience; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters carry on the tradition of service to their community and strive unceasingly to find better ways of protecting their fellow human beings from the ravages of fire and disaster; and

WHEREAS, For 47 years, the Bristol Fire Department has honored their fallen comrades with the annual observance of Firefighters' Memorial Sunday; and

WHEREAS, This year's tragic events have brought to the forefront, the heroes in our midst......the hundreds of firefighters' who gave their lives in the line of duty on September 11th; and

WHEREAS, A hero is a firefighter who runs to save lives, never thinking of themselves; and

WHEREAS, A hero is an average person who does something extraordinary to help someone in need, thinking it's not extraordinary at all; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Bristol will honor these heroic men and women on Sunday June 9, 2002 with an 11:30 Mass at St. Mary's Church, a parade led by General Chairman Stephen F. Grimo and ceremonies at the Firefighters' Memorial Park; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby honors and extends its sincerest gratitude to all the men and women who stand ready every day to put their lives on the line when the alarm bell rings. We commemorate June 9, 2002 as "Firefighters' Memorial Sunday" in the Town of Bristol; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Bristol Fire Department and the Firemans' Memorial and Welfare Committee.