SRC-SEW S.C.R. 18 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.C.R. 18 2001S0259/1 01/23/01By: Whitmire Intergovernmental Relations 2/5/2001 As Filed DIGEST The Texas Legislature joins the citizens of Houston in paying tribute to the 1,200 Houston firefighters who served their city faithfully and are now deceased and to the 56 courageous firefighters who lost their lies in the line of duty. The tradition of paying tribute to Houston firefighters began over 160 years ago; today, there are over 3,000 active firefighters and almost 1,600 retired firefighters who have earned the title of Unsung Heroes of Houston. Over the generations, the City of Houston Firefighters have served their community. The organization was first a volunteer bucket brigade named Protection No. 1, and in 1895 it became the Houston Fire Department, a fully paid professional organization. In the early 1900s, the Houston firefighters used triple horsepower to pull a water tower and later progressed to an American La France Engine and then to pumpers. Currently, the firefighters use EOne pumpers that provide 2,700 gallons of water per minute, and they use trucks with 100-foot aerial ladders for help in rescues. On March 9, 2001, the dedication of the Memorial Garden to the Houston firefighters takes place. At the garden, a granite Wall of Honor lists every deceased firefighter of the Houston Firefighter Department. The central focus of the Memorial Garden is a bronze sculpture by Houston artist and sculptor David Adickes. The Memorial Garden is a fitting tribute to the early days of the Houston Firefighter Department and to the remarkable courage and hard work of all those firefighters of Houston's past. PURPOSE As proposed, S.C.R. 18 submits the following resolutions: Provides that the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas commend the Houston firefighters on their invaluable service and many contributions to their city and that a copy of this resolution be prepared for the Houston Firefighters' Memorial Garden as an expression of esteem and gratitude from the Texas Legislature.