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Honoring our Fallen Heroes; Fighting for our First Responders

June 10, 2011
Pelosi Update

Twenty-four years ago yesterday, I was sworn in as San Francisco’s Representative to Congress. It has been an honor to serve you every day since. I always look forward to hearing from you on issues of concern to you.

Honoring our Fallen Heroes
This week, San Franciscans mourn the tragic loss of fallen San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) Lieutenant Vincent Perez and Firefighter/Paramedic Anthony Valerio, both of Fire Station 26. These SFFD heroes sacrificed their lives in the line of duty to protect the people of San Francisco in a Diamond Heights fire last Friday and are the first members of the SFFD to fall in the line of duty in 8 years.

Today, we honor Lieutenant Perez and Anthony Valerio at their funerals. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, Fire Station 26, and the entire San Francisco Fire Department. Our thanks go out to the hundreds of first responders, who continue to valiantly work to save lives and homes in San Francisco.

SFFD

Congresswoman Pelosi discusses the importance of preserving public safety funding
with firefighters from San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Fighting for our First Responders
Last week, Republican leadership in the House proposed a plan to fund the Department of Homeland Security by slashing investments in firefighters and public safety:

• Cutting grants to hire new firefighters by more than 60 percent,
• Cutting funding to purchase effective equipment in half, and
• Cutting state and local security grants in half.

The International Association of Firefighters said, “At a time when state and local public safety budgets are shrinking, it is unconscionable to implement cuts of this magnitude. Make no mistake, if this proposal is enacted, it would devastate local fire department budgets and threaten public safety nationwide.”

Thankfully, a bipartisan amendment was agreed to, which restores these critical funds. I was proud to support our men and women first responders and protect our public safety by voting for this amendment.