Honoring the lives and service of Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, Nicholas Dale, and all those who serve on the front lines of America's wildland firefighting efforts.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1446 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1446

Honoring the lives and service of Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, Sydney
 Watson, Nicholas Dale, and all those who serve on the front lines of
                America's wildland firefighting efforts.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 22, 2026

 Mr. Hurd of Colorado (for himself, Mr. Moore of Utah, Mr. Neguse, Mr.
  Evans of Colorado, Ms. Boebert, Mr. Kennedy of Utah, Mr. Crank, Mr.
 Crow, Mr. Owens, Ms. DeGette, Ms. Pettersen, and Ms. Maloy) submitted
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
                    Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

Honoring the lives and service of Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, Sydney
 Watson, Nicholas Dale, and all those who serve on the front lines of
                America's wildland firefighting efforts.

Whereas the 2026 wildfire season has already placed extraordinary demands on
        wildland firefighters, aviation crews, emergency responders,
        dispatchers, and support personnel across the Western United States;
Whereas, on June 27, 2026, 3 members of the Rifle, Colorado, Helitack crew,
        Emily Barker of Michigan, Nick Hutcherson of Arizona, and Sydney Watson
        of Alabama, gave their lives while responding to the Snyder Fire along
        the Utah-Colorado border;
Whereas 2 additional firefighters were seriously injured while responding
        alongside their fallen colleagues;
Whereas, on July 12, 2026, firefighting pilot Nicholas Dale of British Columbia,
        Canada, gave his life while supporting suppression efforts on the Gold
        Mountain Fire in Colorado;
Whereas Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, and Nicholas Dale answered
        the call to protect others, and in doing so gave their lives;
Whereas the members of the Rifle Helitack crew carried out one of the most
        demanding assignments in wildland firefighting, deploying by helicopter
        into remote terrain to slow the advance of dangerous wildfires; and
Whereas wildland firefighters, aviation crews, emergency responders,
        dispatchers, and support personnel continue to place themselves in
        harm's way to protect lives, communities, infrastructure, and natural
        resources throughout the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors the lives, service, and ultimate sacrifice of
        Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, and Nicholas
        Dale;
            (2) expresses its deepest sympathies to their families,
        friends, and colleagues, and recognizes the courage and
        continued recovery of the firefighters who were injured in the
        line of duty;
            (3) expresses the gratitude of the American people to the
        wildland firefighters, aviation crews, emergency responders,
        dispatchers, and support personnel who continue to protect
        communities throughout the United States;
            (4) recognizes that protecting communities from
        catastrophic wildfire requires both responsible stewardship of
        forests and public lands and continued support for the wildland
        firefighters, aviation crews, emergency responders,
        dispatchers, and support personnel who place themselves in
        harm's way to protect lives, communities, and natural
        resources; and
            (5) invites all Americans to honor the courage, sacrifice,
        and service of the men and women who risk their lives each
        wildfire season in defense of their fellow citizens.
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