Political Quotes

“I have asked recognition this afternoon to commend the firefighters providing relief to the State of Florida and its citizens, which is once again besieged by fire due to excessive drought conditions. This, unfortunately, is not the first occasion on which I have risen to speak about forest fires in Florida. The natural conditions in the State have been altered to the point where fires, normally a natural and essential part of the pine forests of this region, have burned uncontrollably, causing damage to local communities, private homes, and to the Florida forestry industry. Last year, Florida sustained almost $300 million in private fire-related damage, and State and local governments spent over $100 million in responding to wild fires. Approximately 500,000 acres of forest were completely destroyed in 1998. And in 1999, fires in Florida have again commenced a process with severe consequences. As of today, 2,542 fires have burned more than 58,000 acres; 18 divisional forestry firefighters have been injured; 59 structures have been destroyed, and another 81 were damaged by fire. Florida is not alone. Similar fires are occurring in Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and New Mexico. My heart goes out to the unfortunate victims of these fires, as well as to the firefighters and volunteers who are working bravely to save families, homes and communities.”