Political Quotes

“For the second year in a row, my home State of Washington and my Fourth Congressional District are facing the worst wildfires in the State's recorded history. One year ago the Carlton Complex fire broke out in Okanogan County. At the time, it was the most destructive in our State's history, burning over 250,000 acres, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses, and devastating the environment. Now the people of Washington are once again enduring another catastrophic wildfire season, far surpassing the scale of the devastation experienced last year. To put it in perspective, the amount of land burning in my home State is equivalent to the State of Rhode Island. Many of these fires continue to burn, even as Federal, State, and local agencies and officials work tirelessly to contain them. Communities across my State are mourning the tragic loss of three firefighters who fell in the line of duty on August 19 while battling the Twisp fire in Okanogan County. We remember and mourn the loss of these brave young men: Andrew Zajac, Richard Wheeler, and Tom Beshevsky. Our prayers are with their families and their loved ones. The current situation in Washington is dire, and the heartbreaking loss of life is a sober reminder of the dangerous conditions facing many residents. Already roughly 1 million acres have burned, along with countless homes and businesses and agricultural operations, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes as the threat continues.…”