Mr. Chairman, on the night of February 20^th, Rhode Island suffered a devastating tragedy.  On that night a massive fire, ignited by a pyrotechnic display during a rock concert, tore through The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, in my congressional district.  That fire took 99 lives and left nearly two hundred injured. 

In any community, this tragedy would have been overwhelming.  But in a small state like Rhode Island, when a close-knit town falls victim to one of the worst nightclub fires in the nation’s history, the impact is simply incomprehensible.  Everyone in Rhode Island has a connection to one of the victims, and indeed, connections have been made all across New England and the country.

I have introduced the resolution before us today to memorialize this horrible event and honor its victims, and to express thanks for the heroic efforts of so many emergency personnel, medical workers, community members and government officials who have helped us through this tragedy. 

Just as importantly, I was compelled to draw the attention of my colleagues to this fire in order to reinforce the urgent need for increased attention to fire safety nationwide.  Federal, state and local officials, along with proprietors of nightclubs and other commercial facilities, must reevaluate safety regulations and their enforcement to ensure that this kind of tragedy never happens again.  If the West Warwick fire can serve as a wake-up call and lead to improved safety across the country, then these 99 lives will not have been lost in vain.  It is the very least we can do to honor the victims.

As Rhode Islanders continue the healing process, I want to express my deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones in this horrible fire.  There are no words to adequately express our profound sadness.  Please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of us all, and we will not let the lives of your husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, children, parents and friends be forgotten. 

As of this afternoon, at least 40 people remain hospitalized, nearly half of them still in critical condition.  I know my colleagues join me in offering our prayers for their quick and full recovery.  They are fighting every hour, and they need our strength now more than ever.  Our best wishes go out to them and their families as they weather the tough days ahead.

I would also like to express my immense gratitude for the heroic efforts of people and agencies from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and elsewhere who have helped respond to this disaster. 

The firefighters, police and emergency responders who were first on the scene made a Herculean effort under unimaginable circumstances, and we have them to thank that even more lives were not lost.  In addition, over a dozen hospitals in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have been caring for patients since this tragedy.  The doctors, nurses, mental health professionals and support staff of these hospitals have worked tirelessly to help the injured, and we are grateful for their service.

As usual when tragedy strikes Rhode Island, our community has proven strong, resilient and boundlessly generous.  I want to recognize the countless volunteers who have put their own lives on hold to help in any way they can.  Likewise, many in our state’s business community have come forward to provide food, shelter, transportation and much more to those affected by this event.  I would particularly like to thank the Red Cross and its scores of volunteers for all they have done to give comfort and assistance to those whose loved ones were lost or injured.

Rhode Island’s governor, Donald Carcieri, has provided outstanding leadership throughout this ordeal and shown extraordinary sensitivity to the families involved, and I have personally heard from many of them how much they appreciate his efforts.  West Warwick’s Town Manager, Wolfgang Bauer, has worked hand in hand with state officials to help the people of his community through this event.  Lt. Governor Charles Fogarty and Maj. Gen. Reginald Centracchio, as Co-Chairs of the Emergency Management Advisory Council, have also played a crucial role in this crisis, and the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency has impressively and effectively coordinated a myriad of state and local activities. 

I would also like to thank the gentleman from Rhode Island, Mr. Kennedy, who is an original co-sponsor of this resolution, for his assistance, friendship and support, and Rhode Island’s senior Senator, Jack Reed, and Senator Lincoln Chafee, for their tremendous efforts and leadership.  And I want to express my great appreciation to several federal agencies, including FEMA, the Social Security Administration, SBA, HHS, and the ATF.  Their involvement has been critical, and I look forward to working with them further in the weeks to come. 

Finally, Mr. Chairman, let me address the issue of safety in our clubs, concert halls and other public places.  As Americans have been reminded so painfully by the West Warwick fire, as well as the tragic nightclub stampede in Chicago just a few days earlier, we cannot relax our efforts to ensure that our fire and safety regulations are strong and effective, and our entertainment facilities are in full compliance with them.  As we now know all too well, to lose sight of the overriding importance of safety can be fatal.

I have been greatly encouraged by the intense efforts going on across the country in recent weeks to revisit safety regulations and step up enforcement of existing laws.  Our state and local officials are taking this issue seriously, and I am hopeful that the result will be improved safety in every city and town in America.  I know that my colleagues and I are ready to offer whatever federal assistance might be needed to support these efforts and ensure that the horrific events in Chicago and West Warwick are the last of their kind.

In closing, I urge support for H.Con.Res. 85 and yield back the balance of my time.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.