HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2016-4674, by Representatives Chopp, Kristiansen, Appleton, Barkis, Bergquist, Blake, Buys, Caldier, Chandler, Clibborn, Cody, Condotta, DeBolt, Dent, Dunshee, Dye, Farrell, Fey, Fitzgibbon, Frame, Goodman, Gregerson, Griffey, Haler, Hansen, Hargrove, Harmsworth, Harris, Hawkins, Hayes, Hickel, Holy, Hudgins, S. Hunt, Hurst, Jinkins, Johnson, Kagi, Kilduff, Kirby, Klippert, Kochmar, Kretz, Kuderer, Lytton, MacEwen, Magendanz, Manweller, McBride, McCabe, McCaslin, Moeller, Morris, Moscoso, Muri, Nealey, Orcutt, Ormsby, Ortiz-Self, Orwall, Parker, Peterson, Pettigrew, Pike, Pollet, Reykdal, Riccelli, Robinson, Rodne, Rossetti, Ryu, Santos, Sawyer, Schmick, Scott, Sells, Senn, Shea, Short, Smith, Springer, Stambaugh, Stanford, Stokesbary, Sullivan, Tarleton, Taylor, Tharinger, Van De Wege, Van Werven, Vick, Walkinshaw, Walsh, Wilcox, Wilson, Wylie, Young, and Zeiger

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes the selfless acts of courage of United States Forest Service members during Washington's wildfires of 2015; and

WHEREAS, Members of the service have dedicated their lives to protecting our national forests and the people in the communities surrounding them; and

WHEREAS, Through their noble occupation, many of these men and women are led to deeds of bravery, even of supreme sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, On Wednesday evening, August 19, 2015, four members of the United States Forest Service--wildland firefighters Tom Zbyszewski, 20, of Carlton; Andrew Zajac, 26, of Winthrop; Richard Wheeler, 31, of Wenatchee; and Daniel Lyon, 25, of Puyallup; saw the peril and danger of task that lay before them, and nevertheless, went out to meet it; and

WHEREAS, The four-man crew, assigned to Engine 642, working up the narrow and winding Woods Canyon Road, went to protect a home from the approaching fire; and

WHEREAS, Their vehicle became engulfed in flames, resulting in the death of Tom Zbyszewski, Andrew Zajac, and Richard Wheeler, and severe injuries to Daniel Lyon; and

WHEREAS, Several other wildland firefighters were also injured in the line of duty fighting the fires; and

WHEREAS, The impact of these firefighters' sacrifices are immeasurable, and will continue through the people and the land they protect; and

WHEREAS, These firefighters did not merely speak of the brotherhood of man, they lived it; and

WHEREAS, The spirit of these firefighters' service will not be forgotten;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives join the citizens of the State of Washington in commending the valor of wildland firefighters; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives conveys its deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and community of Tom Zbyszewski, Andrew Zajac, Richard Wheeler, and Daniel Lyon, and join the people of the State of Washington in honoring their memory and commending their tremendous sacrifice; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express profound appreciation and enduring gratitude to the brave men and women that protect our state every day as first responders and firefighters; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Methow Valley Ranger District for presentation to the families of Tom Zbyszewski, Andrew Zajac, Richard Wheeler, and Daniel Lyon.

 

I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

Resolution 4674 adopted by the House of Representatives

February 26, 2016

 

 

 

 

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Barbara Baker, Chief Clerk