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Firefighters 10/12/92 [OA 7582]
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Speech Backup Chronological Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13838
Folder ID Nu mber:
13838-002
Folder Title:
Firefighters 10/12/92 [OA 7582]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
23
1
7
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
DATE:
10/9
TO:
Carol
FROM: GREG FITCH
Office of Public Liaison
Room 130, OEOB, x7120
FYI
Appropriate action
Let's Discuss
Per Our Conversation
Per Your Request
Please Return
COMMENTS:
Some background info FYI.
Diane Harrison is our advance
person for firefighters went-
Tim Simonson (sp?) is lead advance
but is too busy Nictory '92 to
know much. She's been very
helpful; can be reached through
SIGNAL today,
BUSH LIBRARY
PHOTOCOPY
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
01. Memo
Greg Fitch to Carol, re: Background FYI; telephone number
10/09
P-6, (b)(6)
redacted. (1 pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File, Backup
Subseries:
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Firefighters 10/12/92
Date Closed:
12/6/2004
OA/ID Number:
07582
FOIA/SYS Case #:
Re-review Case #:
2004-2265-S
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
MR Case #:
Appeal Case #:
MR Disposition:
Appeal Disposition:
Disposition Date:
Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advise between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
P-6,
(b)(6)
(H)
For acknowledgements, I under-
stand Cong. Weldon will speak- 1
his local rep, Dennis lynch,
was a total jerk on the phone
today - don't know why.
Maybe you'll need to talk to Weldon
for more background info.
leg. Aff. expects the billwill be
delivered in time. let's hope.
(Smith/Aarhus)
Draft One
October 9, 1992
PAFIRE
PRESIDENTIAL TALKING POINTS: BEN FRANKLIN MEMORIAL BILL-SIGNING
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA
MONDAY, OCT. 9, 1992
11:50 A.M.
O
Acknowledgements. Members of the Fire Service
community. And a special salute to the fire-fighter's best
friend, Congressman Curt Weldon -- the man responsible for
getting this bill through the Congress. It is a great honor to
be here with all of you this morning.
Today I will sign the Benjamin Franklin National
Memorial Commemorative Medal and Fire Service Bill of Rights Act
-- which authorizes the minting of a medal commemorating Benjamin
Franklin's contribution to the advancement of science and the
American Fire Service.
Proceeds from the sale of this medal will benefit the
Franklin Institute, as well as various fire-fighting
organizations, such as the International Association of Fire
Fighters Burn Foundation to aid burn injury research. The
proceeds will also go toward creating public education programs
on fire-fighting training grants, help design and maintain arson
prevention programs, and create a John Heinz Memorial Scholarship
Fund.
O
The list of causes goes on and on. And so does the
courage of America's fire fighters. I know it can be "touch-
and-go" in some of the calls you respond to / the danger every
2
fire fighter faces when entering a burning building or responding
to an accident. For your bravery and unfailing dedication, I
say: thank you.
O
The Fire Service Bill of Rights Act salutes all of you:
all heroes. It ensures you will have the necessary tools to do
your job to the utmost of your ability, and seeks to protect you
from the dangers of emergency response. Your Bill of Rights
promotes education, training programs, and asks for greater
public awareness of the many hazards of fire-fighting. And it
demands that should the ultimate tragedy occur -- your loved ones
will be provided for.
O
As some of you may know, Teddy Roosevelt is among my
favorite Presidents. Let me share with you what his father said
to him on the eve of his 16th birthday. He said, "All that gives
me most pleasure in the retrospect is connected with others
We
are not placed here to live exclusively for ourselves."
O
You serve not for yourselves alone -- but for the
Family called America. May God bless each and every one of you
and the great State of Pennsylvania. Now, let's sign that Act.
( (SIGN ACT) )
#
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 11, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
STEVEN PROVOST
FROM:
CURT SMITH
SUBJECT:
FIRE-FIGHTERS EVENT/SPRINGFIELD, PA
On Monday, October 12 at 11:20 a.m., you will sign into law
the Ben Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Medal and Fire
Service Bill of Rights Act. Your remarks (5 minutes, cards) will
be given to an audience of 1,000 volunteer and paid fire-
fighters.
GEORGE BUSH LIBRARY
THIS FORM MARKS THE FILE LOCATION OF ITEM NUMBER
LISTED IN THE WITHDRAWAL SHEET AT THE FRONT OF THIS FOLDER
T-10-1992 13:20 FROM SPRINGFIELD, PA
TO
12024561647
P.02
9-92
FRI
17:00
CONGRESSIONAL FIRE SERVICES INSTITUTE
October 9, 1992
E
Memorandum
900 2nd Street, N.E.
Suite 118
To:
Diane Harrison
Washington,
Fr:
Congressman Curt Weldon
D.C. 20002
John McNichol
(202) 371-1277
FAX 202-682-FIRE
Re: Fire Service VIPs for Bill Signing Ceremony
Congressman Curt Weldon
Honorary Chairman
Senator Albert Cort
Honorery Co-Chairman
Listed below are the national fire service leaders
Senator John McCala
planning to attend the signing ceremony.
The
Honorary Co-Chairman
individuals in Section I should be on stage with the
Senstor Richard Bryan
Monorary Co-Chairman
president. The remaining individuals in Section II
Congressmen Sterty Hoyer
should at least be admitted to the building.
Monorary Co-Chairman
Congressman Skerwood Bochieft
Section I
Honorary Co-Chairmon
Congressman The Valentine
Honorary Co-Chuirmen
Olin Greene
Administrator
Mary McCormack
Chais National Advisory
U.S. Fire Administrator
Committee
Steve Auslia
Vice-Chair
Albert Kirchner
Superintendent
John J. McNichol
National Fire Academy
Executive Director
William V. Goodwin
Director, External Affoirs
Ed McCormack
Ellen His
CEO
Administrative Assistant
International Society of Fire Service Instructors
Chief Gary Nichols
President
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
Chief Ray Alfred
District of Columbia Fire Chief and
Pres., Metro Committee of the IAFC
Romeo Spaulding
President
International Assn. of Black Professional Fire Fighters
George Miller
President
National Fire Protection Association
David Lucht
President
Society of Fire Protection Engineers
12024561647
P.01
T-10-1992 13:09 FROM SPRINGFIELD, PA
TO
12024561647
P.03
Ms. Harrison -- page 2
Section I continued
National Representative
George Miller (different from above)
National Assn. of State Fire Marshals
Patrick Kennedy
American Ambulance Association
Washington Liaison to Fire Caucus for
Lee Fulton
President
Board of Certified Fire Protection Specialists
Benjamin Roy
Executive Secretary
Fire Marshals Assn. of North America
Steven Austin
Investigators
John Viniello
President
National Fire Sprinkler Assn.
Robert McKeon
Chairman
National Volunteer Fire Council
William Bruns
President
Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Assn.
Roman Kaminski
President
International Fire Buffs Assn.
Albert Danilko
President
Legislative Federation of PA
Russel Davis
President
PA State Firemen's Assn.
President Barry Buskey
Professional Firefighters Assn. of PA
T-10-1992 13:09 FROM SPRINGFIELD, PA
TO
12024561647
P.02
Ms. Harrison -- page 3
Section I continued
...
John Kenny
President
PA Fire Police Assn.
Bob Kerns
President
Keystone Fire Instructors Assn.
Dave Brubaker
PA Assn. of Arson Investigators
Les Yost
President
Philadelphia Local, IAFF
Representative
Delco Union Local
Section II
John McNichol
Executive Director
Congressional Fire Services Institute
Doug Ritter
Administrative Assistant
U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon
Mrs. Olin Greene
wife of U.S. Fire Administrator
Mrs. Albert Kirchner
wife of National Fire Academy Superintendent
Steve Stevenson
Publisher
Firefighter and EMS News
Dave Hackett
Congressional Fire Services Caucus
Nancy White
Upper Darby Twp. Councilwoman
Carol
note do AM OT DD
yet-
THE WHITE HOUSE
info maybe
WASHINGTON
helpfed Mrer
October 10, 1992
SPRINGFIELD FIREFIGHTERS DROP BY
DATE:
October 12, 1992
TIME:
11:20 a.m.
LOCATION:
Springfield Township
Firehouse, Springfield, PA
THROUGH:
DAVID DEMAREST
FROM:
LEIGH ANN METZGER
GREG FITCH
I.
PURPOSE
To sign H.R. 2448, the "Benjamin Franklin Memorial Fire
Service Bill of Rights Act.' To salute the nation's
volunteer and paid firefighters for their sacrifice and
commitment to America's neighborhoods.
II. BACKGROUND
Before Congress adjourned this week, both houses passed H.R.
2448, the "Benjamin Franklin Memorial Fire Service Bill of
Rights Act.' Introduced by Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA),
the bill authorizes the minting next year of 1.5 million
silver medals to help fund several national fire service
programs and the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia. Ben
Franklin founded the nation's first fire station.
Specifically, proceeds would fund various fire training
grants, college scholarships in fire science, burn injury
research, arson prevention programs, and scholarships for
children and spouses of firefighters and emergency medical
personnel killed in duty.
The Bill of Rights component recognizes the nation's
approximately 1.2 million volunteer and 300,000 paid
firefighters as "our first responder to domestic
emergencies" and states that firefighters deserve every
protection from the dangers associated with emergency
response.
Congressman Weldon, a former volunteer fire chief, is also
the founder and chairman of the Congressional Fire Services
Caucus, an informal bipartisan group of lawmakers backing
fire and life safety. You addressed the caucus' first fund-
raising dinner in 1989.
On October 11th the U.S. Fire Administrator hosted an annual
ceremony at the National Fire Academy in nearby Emmitsburg,
Maryland honoring the nation's firefighters killed in duty.
Because of this, many national fire service leaders will
also be in attendance at this event.
III. PARTICIPANTS
On Stage
The President and Mrs. Bush
See Attached List
Audience
Approximately 1,000 local uniformed volunteer and paid
firefighters
IV. PRESS PLAN
Open
V.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
See Advance Scenario
VI. REMARKS
Remarks to be provided by Speechwriting
PARTICIPANTS ON STAGE
SPRINGFIELD FIREFIGHTERS DROP BY
OCTOBER 12, 1992 -- 11:20 A.M.
SPRINGFIELD, PA
Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA)
Olin Greene, Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA)
Albert Kirchner, Superintendent, National Fire Academy
Ed McCormack, CEO, International Society of Fire Service
Instructors
Chief Gary Nichols, International Association of Fire Chiefs
(IAFC)
Chief Ray Alfred, District of Columbia Fire Chief and
President, Metro Committee of the IAFC
Romeo Spaulding, President, International Association of
Black Professional Fire Fighters
George Miller, President, National Fire Protection
Association
David Lucht, President, Society of Fire Protection Engineers
George Miller, National Representative, National Association
of State Fire Marshals
Patrick Kennedy, Washington Liaison to Fire Caucus for the
American Ambulance Association
Lee Fulton, President, Board of Certified Fire Protection
Specialists
Benjamin Roy, Executive Secretary, Fire Marshals Association
of North America
Steven Austin, Washington Representative, International
Association of Arson Investigators
John Viniello, President, National Fire Sprinkler
Association
Robert McKeon, Chairman, National Volunteer Fire Council
William Bruns, President, Fire Apparatus Manufacturers
Association
Roman Kaminski, President, International Fire Buffs
Association
Albert Danilko, President, Legislative Federation of
Pennsylvania
Russel Davis, President, Pennsylvania State Firemen's
Association
Barry Buskey, President, Professional Firefighters
Association of Pennsylvania
John Kenny, President, President, Pennsylvania Fire Police
Association
Bob Kerns, President, Keystone Fire Instructors Association
Dave Brubaker, Pennsylvania Association of Arson
Investigators
Les Yost, President, Philadelphia Local, International
Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
PAGE
7
LEVEL 1 - 6 OF 67 STORIES
Copyright 1992 Gannett Company, Inc.
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE
September 27, 1992, Sunday
LENGTH: 1832 words
HEADLINE: PA. LAWMAKER SHOWS HOW CONGRESS REALLY OPERATES
BYLINE: CHRIS COLLINS; Gannett News Service
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
KEYWORD: HOUSE-CAUCUSMAIN
BODY:
Chances are you've never heard of Curt Weldon, a junior Republican
congressman from Pennsylvania. But:
- He has a vast national constituency, with well-placed representatives in
virtually every town.
- He can collect $ 400,000-plus in one night for his cause, which 15
supported by four-fifths of Congress.
- His appeal is bipartisan: Democratic vice presidential candidate Albert
Gore lends his name to Weldon's cause, and a top House Democratic leader last
year declared 'we love you'' to Weldon as thousands listened.
Forget your textbook lessons about Democrats YS. Republicans, the
congressional seniority system and how a bill becomes law. This is how Congress
really operates - and how corporate America might influence its operations.
Weldon's clout stems not From his party affiliation (the GOP minority), his
congressional seniority (low) or his committee chairmanships (nonexistent).
Instead, Weldon, a former volunteer fire chief, has built his influence by
becoming Capitol Hill's chief firefighter: founder of both the Congressional
Fire Services Caucus, an informal bipartisan group of lawmakers backing ''fire
and life safety,'' and an affiliated private institute.
Weldon's caucus and institute tap into a politically potent national force:
America's 1.5 million firefighters, 85 percent of whom are volunteers whose fire
houses often are towns' social and political hubs.
''What better mom-and-apple-pie issue than fire services?'' asks John
McNichol, head of the Congressional Fire Services Institute Weldon also founded.
But more than mom and apple pie are at issue.
Almost six years after becoming a representative, Weldon still is on leave
from his pre-Congress position with insurance giant CIGNA Corp. CIGNA and a
related company are the major financial backers of the fire services institute.
And Weldon has used his caucus to push for legislation backed by CIGNA and
others in the insurance industry.
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GANNETT NEWS SERVICE, September 27, 1992
Weldon says that, although "you could make a connection that, well, he's
trying to help CIGNA out, that's clearly not my intent. The suggestion of a
conflict of interest between his CIGNA connections and his congressional work 15
'offensive'' and ''stretching it,'' he says: 'There 15 no way 1 would ever
compromise what 1 am doing to benefit one company.
Weldon, who came to the House in 1987, a year later created the fire services
caucus. It quickly became the largest of about 120 unofficial, unfunded groups
of lawmakers that have proliferated on Capitol Hill.
Then Weldon - Following a pattern established by other such caucuses -
created its private affiliate, the tax-exempt Congressional Fire Services
Institute, mostly Funded by industries. The institute ''educates'' politicians
about fire and emergency service issues.
Weldon's institute ties are tight: Executive director McNichol is a Former
Weldon legislative aide and the son of the top political boss in Weldon's GOP-
machine home district; its unpaid president is Weldon's chief House aide; Weldon
is its honorary chairman. Even its tax returns are prepared by a Pennsylvania
firm founded by Weldon's former campaign treasurer.
The institute's most generous supporters are CIGNA and an insurance agency
closely linked to CIGNA: the Glatfelter Insurance Group of York, Pa., and its
subsidiary, Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Services Inc.
About 65 percent of the nation's volunteer fire companies and ambulance
squads buy insurance through VFIS, founded by Arthur J. Glatfelter. CIGNA says
Glatfelter's agency generates nearly $ 100 million a year in premium for CIGNA.
These firms' complex association with Weldon's groups go back to the caucus'
beginning:
- VFIS sponsored the caucus' April 1988 kickoff reception on Capitol Hill.
- Glatfelter, who Weldon says he has known for 20 years, has been the
institute's unpaid treasurer since its start.
- Of $ 1.3 million the institute received between March 1989, when it was
incorporated, and Sept. 30, 1991, at least $ 46,800 came From CIGNA and $ 56,000
from Glatfelter's firms. Companies that make firefighting or fire safety
products and equipment provided most of the rest.
- CIGNA lent the institute an executive for a year and sponsors Fund- raising
golf tournaments with it at a CIGNA-owned resort.
Weldon, who said CIGNA still gives the institute $ 20,000 to $ 25,000
annually, said he ' leaned on'' CIGNA to support the fledgling institute.
CIGNA spokesman David A. Willis, however, said CIGNA contributes as a favor
to Glatfelter: ''It made sense from a business point to do this. We support
endeavors that are important to major customer groups.
At the institute's 1991 dinner, in fact, CIGNA announced it was honoring
Glatfelter with a college scholarship in his name.
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9
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE, September 27, 1992
Weldon receives ''no pay or benefits from CIGNA, according to his latest
financial disclosure report. And, he says, his leave of absence was not a
special favor.
When Weldon was elected in 1986, CIGNA policy was to offer all employees who
enter public service open-ended unpaid leaves. Beginning in 1991, the leaves are
limited to two years, Willis said. Weldon, Formerly director of training and
manpower, is one of "very few'' employees on such leaves, Willis said.
This year, Weldon lobbied for legislation in which CIGNA has a substantial
stake.
In February, Weldon - writing on Congressional Fire Services Caucus
stationery - asked House members to support a bill that would protect the
insurance industry From the full financial Fallout of a catastrophic earthquake.
The earthquake legislation was drafted by a consortium of 350 trade
associations and companies in the property/casualty insurance industry. CIGNA is
among the 10 members of the consortium's steering committee.
In August, Weldon testified for the earthquake bill before a subcommittee led
by Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., a member of his caucus. Until recently, the
subcommittee aide handling the bill was an unpaid officer of Weldon's institute.
Weldon, speaking ''as the chairman of the largest caucus on Capitol Hill,''
urged the subcommittee 'to make sure that the federal government takes its
proper place in backing up the insurance industry and the emergency
responders
In an interview, Weldon said CIGNA 'has never asked for anything, in terms
of issues'' and that he ''never gave it a thought about CIGNA being a prime
sponsor or a prime supporter of a bill like that
and then giving money to
the institute. Maybe I should have, but that's never even crossed my mind.'
Weldon said his testimony and the letter were ''nothing less than I would do
for any other issue'' with general fire service support and Dipartisan backing.
He provided copies of nine letters he wrote this year to House colleagues on
caucus stationery lobbying for five other legislative efforts: a House disaster
action committee; tax-exempt bond issues by volunteer emergency groups;
commemorative coins benefiting fire services; sprinkler systems in new or
updated federal offices; and `National Firefighters Day.
Weldon also said he knew last year - before he pushed the earthquake bill -
that his CIGNA leave would expire at the end of 1992. Willis says CIGNA was not
involved at all'' in Weldon's efforts for the bill.
The caucus and its parallel outside institute have forged alliances that
allow Weldon to defy the textbook rules about what constitutes political clout.
Among the caucus' six co-chairs and the institute's honorary co-chairs is
Gore, the Democratic vice presidential candidate. In August, the International
Association of Fire Fighters endorsed the Clinton-Gore ticket, noting Gore's
involvement in the fire services caucus.
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GANNETT NEWS SERVICE, September 27, 1992
Another caucus co-chair and institute honorary co-chair is Steny H. Hoyer of
Maryland, chairman of the House's Democratic Caucus. In January, Weldon plans to
turn OVER leadership of his caucus to Hoyer, who declared to Weldon at the
institute's 1991 dinner that ''we love you for the commitment you have shown.
Weldon's political savvy - he's been an elected official since 1977 -
contributed to the quick growth of his caucus and his clout.
Rather than nag his congressional colleagues to join the caucus, for example,
Weldon encouraged fire service groups to ask politicians if they were caucus
members - and if not, why they weren't supporting fire safety.
Lawmakers found it easy to support the caucus: It accepts everyone, its full
membership never meets, and it doesn't charge dues.
Serendipity also played a role. In May 1988, Weldon and McNichol, then a
Weldon legislative aide, were the First to arrive at an early evening Fire in a
vacant House office assigned to then-Speaker Jim Wright, D-Texas.
The fire, attributed to an electrical short, made a priceless contribution to
Weldon's cause by thrusting him into the national media limelight.
Newspapers had 'three-inch headlines: 'WELDON PUTS OUT BLAZE IN SPEAKER'S
OFFICE,' McNichol said in a speech tape recorded during a later institute
workshop. Lawmakers' response, McNichol said, was: ''Now, I want to get SOME of
that!'' Caucus membership soared.
The institute also started with a bang. In April 1989, more than 2,000 diners
paid a stunning $ 412,479 to attend its first fund-raising dinner. Weldon
introduced keynote speaker George Bush - an incredible catch for a month-old
institute.
Serendipity and political savvy again had come to Weldon's aid: Repeated
appeals to the White House for Bush or Vice President Dan Quayle to attend the
dinner had been rebuffed when it was discovered that Bush's chief scheduler was
a volunteer firefighter. Weldon had Lunch with him; a few days later, both Bush
and Quayle accepted.
'FEW other groups are able to turn out 2,000 strong for an event in
Washington, receive the president and the vice president, and entertain over 70
members of the House and Senate,' Weldon bragged in a "Fire Chief'' magazine
article.
This has given the fire service an opening to Congress that it has
never before had.
Since then, the caucus has backed such successful legislative efforts as
requiring hotels and motels doing federal business to install fire sprinklers
and smoke detectors; relaxing weight restrictions for fire and emergency service
vehicles on federal highways and exempting some fire extinguishers from specific
Clean Air Act requirements.
The caucus and institute have yet to make Weldon a household name, but they
have propelled him to firehouse fame. Last year, Weldon reported 15 expense-paid
trips, most to speak to fire-related groups or businesses; his staff says he
turns down five for each the accepts.
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GANNETT NEWS SERVICE, September 27, 1992
An American University professor is writing a book about Weldon's political
techniques. His institute dinners attract Hollywood stars. State- level caucuses
mimic the national one.
Curt has developed the seeds of something that could bloom for him,''
McNichol says.
He just never thinks about it.''
SUBJECT: CONGRESS; ETHICS; PENNSYLVANI; HOUSE SPENDING
TM
TM
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PAGE
1
LEVEL 1 - - 1 OF 67 STORIES
Copyright 1992 States News Service
States News Service
October 8, 1992, Thursday
LENGTH: 405 words
HEADLINE: Weldon's Fire Service Bill OF Rights Makes It Through Congress
BYLINE: By Jennifer Babson, States News Service
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
KEYWORD: fire
BODY:
À fire service 'Bill of Rights' and commemorative medal bill pushed by Rep.
Curt Weldon, R-Aston, passed Congress late Wednesday and now awaits the
signature of President George Bush -- who will be stopping in Delaware County
Monday.
Bush will be appearing behind the Springfield Township Building on Pell Road
at 10:00 am Monday morning, county GOP Chairman Tom Judge announced at a press
conference Thursday.
Police are expecting 3,000 to 5,000 people will show up to greet the
President, who is expected to use the occasion to sign Weldon's bill into law.
First introduced by Weldon in October 1989, the measure authorizes the
minting next year of 1,500,000 silver medals to help fund seven national fire
service programs and the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
An "ecstatic" Weldon said Thursday he's excited about Bush's visit and
passage of the bill: "It's the first time in the history of America that the
emergency responders of this country have been recognized," Weldon said.
The 10-statement 'Bill OF Rights' contained in the legislation asserts that
the "Fire Service should be acknowledged as our first responders to domestic
emergencies" and commends the fire service for its role as "America's domestic
defenders," among other things.
Although the bill passed through Congress without opposition, some lawmakers
expressed skepticism over the purpose and function of printing yet another
congressional medal.
"Experience has shown us that the most successful commemorative medals are
used to mark something in American history that have touched all of us," said
Rep. Alfred McCandless, R-Calif., when the bill reached the floor of the House
late Saturday.
Minted to observe the "203rd anniversary of the death of Franklin or the
256th anniversary of the first American fire station, it would seem to me that
we are stretching it a bit," McCandless complained. "Today our most successful
medal program has only sold 600,000 medals."
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After attaching an amendment that "would not make taxpayers pay for the cost
of the medal" if it bombs, McCandless threw his support to the bill with a
caveat: "If it is a failure then we should eliminate this kind of program."
Chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, Weldon said he
envisions a brighter fate for the medal: "I predict it will be a sellout," he
said. "We have a ready, captive audience of 3 million (fire service) people."
TM
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OCT-09-92 FRI 17:17
P.01
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
CURT WELDON
SUBCOMMITTEES
7TH DISTRICT, PENNSYLVANIA
PROCUREMENT AND MILITARY
PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION
316 CANNON House OFFICE BUILDING
SEAPOWER AND STRATEGIC AND
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-3807
CRITICAL MATERIALS
DEFENSE POLICY PANEL
(202) 225-2011
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1554 GARRETT ROAD
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Congress of the United States
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AND THE ENVIRONMENT
house of Representatives
OCEANOGRAPHY
Washington, DC 20515-3807
SELECT COMMITTEE ON
CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES
CONGRESSIONAL FIRE SERVICES CAUCUS
CHAIRMAN
The office of Congressman Curt Weldon
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OCT-09-92 FRI 17:18
P.02
"The Benjamin Franklin Memorial Fire Service Bill of Rights"
0 Authorizes the minting of 1,500,000 silver medals beginning on
July 1, 1993.
Proceeds from the sale of the coin will be divided equally
between the following:
The Franklin Institute, to renovate and restore the Benjamin
Franklin National Memorial.
-- The Institute of Life Safety Technology and Emergency Management
Education, to provide grants to colleges and universities for fire
training courses.
-- The International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation to award
scholarships for college level courses in fire safety and related
fields. The International Association of Fire Fighters Burn Foundation for
burn injury reasearch at hospital burn centers.
-- The National Fire Protection Association's "Learn Not to Burn"
Foundation to deliver public education programs on fire safety.
The National Volunteer Fire Council to establish fire fighter
health and safety programs.
- The National Association of state Fire Marshals to establish a
"John Heinz Memorial Scholarship Fund."
-- The International Association of Arson Investigators Educational
Foundation to design and maintain arson prevention programs.
THE FIRE SERVICE BILL OF RIGHTS
* America's fire service should be acknowledged as our first
responders to domestic emergencies.
Members of America's fire service deserve every protection
from the dangers associated with emergency response.
*
Family members of those in the fire service should be provided
for in the event of the service-connected loss or disability of a
family member.
* Members of fire services should be educated in the latest fire
and life safety sciences and should have access to ongoing training
programs to be able to take full advantage of the latest information.
* Fire services should be provided with state of the art
equipment and apparatus to handle all emergency situations.
* America's fire services deserve to have access to up to date
fire and life safety programs to enable them to protect the public
with minimal risk to the safety of their members.
* Responding fire services have a right to know the kind of
danger presented by hazardous materials.
* Fire services should be fully informed of the threat of
infectious diseases their members face during the course of life
safety.
* America's fire services have the right to expect that the
American people will be full partners in the struggle to preserve
life and property.
* The history of American fire services and the sacrifices their
members have made to protect lives and property in communities across
the nation desderve to commended and honored.
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H.R. 2448 by Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA)
Benjamin Franklin Memorial Fire Service Bill of Rights Act; Benjamin Franklin
National Memorial Commemorative Coin Act; Fire Service Bill of Rights Act;
Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Medal and Fire Service Bill
of Rights Act
Official Title (Caption) :
Franklin and to enact a fire service bill of rights.
A bill to provide for the minting of coins in commemoration of Benjamin
Introduced on Thursday, May 23, 1991
Overview and Outlook Copyright (c) 1992 Legi-Slate, Inc.
mint medals commemorating Benjamin Franklin's contribution to the advancement
OVERVIEW: The bill [H.R.2448] would direct the secretary of the Treasury to
of science and to the American Fire Service.
Proceeds from the silver medals would benefit the Benjamin Franklin National
Memorial, as well as various firefighting organizations for fire training
grants; college scholarships in fire science; burn injury research; arson
prevention programs; and scholarships for children and spouses of firefighters
and emergency medical personnel killed in duty.
The House Banking Committee's Consumer Affairs and Coinage Subcommittee
deleted a provision stipulating that coins be minted. Also taken out was a
fire service bill of rights, establishing the right of firefighters to know
the danger they face from hazardous materials and infectious diseases. Members
or Congress.
felt such a provision wasn't within the jurisdiction of the banking committee
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., is controversial because
opponents fear that commemorative medals for fraternal organizations or
nonprofit groups will open the flood gates to groups representing police
medals to alleviate those concerns, but they still exist.
officers, teachers, medical technicians and others. Coins were changed to
"I can see demands rising for a teacher commemorative, a police officer
bill 15-1. when it was marked up by the subcommittee on June 9, 1992. The vote was
commemorative,' said Rep. Larry LaRocco, D-Idaho, the sole vote against the
The House Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs approved the bill
on June 18, 1992. The House passed the bill on Oct. 3, 1992.
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2024566218 3
Abstract
(from Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress)
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins to commemorate the
contribution of Benjamin Franklin to the advancement of science and to the
American Fire Service.
Sets forth a fire service bill of rights.
Digest
(from Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress)
Benjamin Franklin Memorial Fire Service Bill of Rights Act -
Title I: Minting of Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin
Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs
the Secretary of the Treasury to issue: (1) five dollar gold coins
emblematic of Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the advancement of
science; (2) one dollar silver coins emblematic of Benjamin Franklin's
contributions to the American Fire Service. Sets forth sale and issuance
guidelines, including a general waiver of procurement regulations and
surcharge distributions.
Title II: Fire Service Bill of Rights
Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention
and Control Act of 1974 to set forth a fire service bill of rights,
including the right of responding fire services to: (1) know the kind of
danger presented by hazardous materials they face in emergency responses;
and (2) be fully informed of infectious diseases their members face during
the course of life safety activities. Declares that the bill of rights does
not create any private right of action.
H. 2448
One Hundred Second Congress of the United States of Amel
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, the third day of January,
one thousand nine hundred and ninety-two
RECEIVED
OCT 1992
WHITE THE
An Act
To provide for the minting of medals in commemoration of Benjamin Franklin
and to enact a fire service bill of rights.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "Benjamin Franklin National
Memorial Commemorative Medal and Fire Service Bill of Rights
Act".
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) America's fire services should be acknowledged as our
first responder to domestic emergencies.
(2) Members of America's fire services deserve every protec-
tion from the dangers associated with emergency response.
(3) Family members of those in the fire services should
be provided for in the event of the service-connected loss or
disability of any member of a fire service.
(4) Members of fire services should be educated in the
7
latest fire and life safety sciences, and should have access
to ongoing training programs to be able to take full advantage
of the latest information.
(5) Fire services should be provided with state-of-the-art
equipment and apparatus to handle all emergency situations.
(6) America's fire services deserve to have access to up-
to-date fire and life safety programs to enable them to protect
the public with minimal risk to the safety of their members.
(7) Responding fire services have a right to know the kind
of danger presented by hazardous materials they face in all
emergency responses.
(8) Fire services should be fully informed of the threat
of infectious diseases their members face during the course
of life safety activities.
(9) America's fire services have the right to expect that
the American people will be full partners in the struggle to
preserve life and property from the ravages of fire and other
disasters.
(10) The history of American fire services and the sacrifices
their members have made to protect lives and property in
communities across the Nation deserve to be commemorated
and honored.
(11) A commemorative medal would help recognize the
achievements and needs of America's fire services.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION.
(a) ISSUANCE.-The Secretary of the Treasury (in this title
referred to as the "Secretary") shall issue not more than 1,500,000
medals each of which shall contain 1 ounce of silver.
H. R. 2448-2
(b) DESIGN.-The design of the medals shall contain suitable
emblems, devices, and inscriptions in commemoration of Benjamin
Franklin's contributions to the American Fire Service. Such design
shall be selected by the Secretary after consultation with the Chair-
man of the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial at the Franklin
Institute, the Chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Institute,
and the Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts.
(c) NATIONAL MEDALS.-The medals issued under subsection
(a) are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31,
United States Code.
SEC. 4. SOURCES OF BULLION.
The Secretary shall obtain silver for the medals authorized
under section 3 from stockpiles established under the Strategic
and Critical Minerals Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. 98 et seq.).
SEC. 5. SALE OF MEDALS.
(a) IN GENERAL.-The medals authorized under section 3 shall
be sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the cost of production,
plus the cost of designing and issuing such medals (including labor,
materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses), and
the surcharge provided for in subsection (d).
(b) BULK SALES.-The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the
medals authorized under section 3 at a reasonable discount.
(c) PREPAID ORDERS.-The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders
for the medals authorized under section 3 prior to the issuance
of such medals. Sales under this subsection shall be at a reasonable
discount to reflect the benefit of prepayment.
(d) SURCHARGES.-All sales of the medals authorized under
section 3 shall include a surcharge of $15 per medal.
SEC. 6. MARKETING.
The Secretary shall develop a domestic marketing program
to promote and sell the medals authorized under section 3 in
the United States.
SEC. 7. ISSUANCE OF MEDALS.
(a) IN GENERAL.-The medals authorized under section 3 may
be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities, except that not more
than 1 facility of the United States Mint may be used to strike
any particular quality.
(b) COMMENCEMENT OF ISSUANCE.-The Secretary may issue
the medals authorized under section 3 beginning on July 1, 1993.
(c) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.-No medals authorized under
section 3 may be minted after June 30, 1994.
SEC. 8. GENERAL WAIVER OF PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL-Except as provided in subsection (b), no provi-
sion of law governing procurement or public contracts shall be
applicable to the procurement of goods or services necessary for
issuing the medals authorized under section 3.
(b) EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY.-Subsection (a) shall
not relieve any person entering into a contract under the authority
of this title from complying with any law relating to equal employ-
ment opportunity.
H.R. 2448-3
SEC. 9. DISTRIBUTION OF SURCHARGES.
(a) IN GENERAL-Except as provided in section 11, all sur-
charges described in section 5(d) which are received by the Secretary
shall be promptly paid by the Secretary as follows:
(1) AMOUNTS PAID FOR THE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN NATIONAL
MEMORIAL.-Subject to section 10, the Secretary shall pay to
the Franklin Institute (custodian of the Benjamin Franklin
National Memorial) 12.5 percent of the amount of such sur-
charges received. Such amounts shall be used—
(A) to restore and renovate the Benjamin Franklin
National Memorial (in this section referred to as the
"Memorial");
(B) for exhibits and programs in the Memorial or in
the adjoining areas of the Franklin Institute relating to
the Memorial, Benjamin Franklin, or to science and edu-
cation;
(C) for funds for the acquisition and preservation of
artifacts relating to Benjamin Franklin; and
(D) to establish, in consultation with the Secretary
of the Interior, an endowment in an amount determined
sufficient for the Memorial, to ensure the continued upkeep
and maintenance of the Memorial.
(2) AMOUNTS PAID FOR OTHER PURPOSES.-Subject to section
10, the Secretary shall pay, of the amount of the surcharges
received-
(A) 12.5 percent to the Institute of Life Safety Tech-
nology and Emergency Management Education to provide
grants to colleges and universities for fire training courses
at no cost to participants (such Institute shall not require
the use of specific course materials as a condition for the
receipt of a grant by a college or university);
(B) 12.5 percent to the International Association of
Fire Chiefs Foundation to award scholarships for college
level courses in fire science, engineering, and related fields;
(C) 12.5 percent to the International Association of
Fire Fighters Burn Foundation for burn injury research
at hospital burn centers and other qualified medical
research organizations;
(D) 12.5 percent to the National Fire Protection
Associations' Learn Not To Burn Foundation to deliver
public education programs and resources to low income
residents in rural and urban communities which have high
fire injury and death rates;
(E) 12.5 percent to the National Volunteer Fire Council
Foundation to establish and maintain programs to promote
the health and safety of all firefighters;
(F) 12.5 percent to the National Association of State
Fire Marshals to establish and maintain the "John Heinz
Memorial Scholarship Fund" to provide educational schol-
arships to the surviving children and spouses of fallen
firefighters and emergency medical personnel as qualified
under the Public Safety Officers Benefit Program; and
(G) 12.5 percent to the International Association of
Arson Investigators Educational Foundation to design and
maintain arson prevention programs.
(b) AVAILABILITY OF LIST OF SURVIVING CHILDREN AND SPOUSES
TO NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE FIRE MARSHALS.-For purposes
H. R. 2448-4
of providing educational scholarships described in subsection
(a)(2)(F), the Attorney General shall make a list of surviving chil-
dren and spouses referred to in such subsection available to the
National Association of State Fire Marshals on a timely basis.
SEC. 10. AUDITS.
(a) FRANKLIN INSTITUTE.-As a condition for receiving the pro-
ceeds of the surcharges pursuant to section 9(a)(1), the Franklin
Institute shall allow the Comptroller General to examine such
books, records, documents, and other data of the Institute as may
be related to the expenditure of amounts paid, and the management
and expenditures of the endowment established under subpara-
graph (F) of such section.
(b) INSTITUTE OF LIFE SAFETY TECHNOLOGY AND EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT EDUCATION, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE FIRE
MARSHALS, AND THE FIVE FIRE SERVICE FOUNDATIONS.-As a condi-
tion for receiving the proceeds of the surcharges pursuant to section
9(a)(2), the Institute of Life Safety Technology and Emergency
Management Education, the National Association of State Fire Mar-
shals, and the 5 fire service foundations described in subparagraphs
(B), (C), (D), (E), and (G) of section 9(a)(2), shall allow the Comptrol-
ler General to examine such books, records, documents, and other
data as may be related to the expenditure of amounts paid.
(c) ADMINISTRATIVE, OVERHEAD, OR OTHER EXPENSES PROHIB-
ITED.-No funds received under section 9, and no interest accruing
on any such funds, may be used for administrative purposes, over-
head expenses, or for any other purpose not described in such
section.
SEC. 11. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.
(a) No NET COST TO THE GOVERNMENT-The Secretary shall
take all actions necessary to ensure that the issuance of the medals
authorized under section 3 shall result in no net cost to the Federal
Government.
(b) RECOVERY OF COSTS TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.-
(1) RELEASE OF SURCHARGES UPON RECEIPT OF FUNDS.-
The Secretary shall not distribute the amount of any surcharge
under section 9 until the Secretary has received funds, either
from the sale of medals authorized under this Act or from
private donations, sufficient to ensure that the issuance of
medals under this Act shall result in no net cost to the Federal
Government.
(2) RECOVERY OF EXPENSES FROM SURCHARGES.-If all costs
to the Federal Government in connection with the issuance
of medals under this Act are not recovered from the sale of
such medals or from private donations as of the termination
of the program in accordance with section 7, the Secretary
shall reduce the amount of the surcharges retained pursuant
to paragraph (1) by the amount of such shortfall and apply
such amount to the cost of issuing such medals.
(3) DISTRIBUTION OF BALANCE OF SURCHARGES.-Any sur-
charges remaining after any reduction in the amount of such
surcharges pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be distributed in
accordance with section 9.
(c) PAYMENT FOR MEDALS.-No medal authorized under section
3 shall be issued unless the Secretary has received—
(1) full payment, as determined under section 5;
H. R. 2448-5
(2) security satisfactory to the Secretary to indemnify the
United States for full payment; or
(3) a guarantee of full payment satisfactory to the Secretary
from a depository institution whose deposits are insured by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National
Credit Union Administration Board.
Thom Speaker of the House of Representatives. Folay
Oagle
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.