April 7, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 67 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THANK YOU TO WASHINGTON STATE'S FIRST RESPONDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LARSEN

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 7, 2020

  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank the 
3,360 emergency medical technicians and paramedics, 7,190 firefighters, 
and 9,670 police and sheriffs patrol officers who are on the front 
lines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington state.
  While most workers are under stay at home orders, these 
Washingtonians go out into the field, risking exposure to a contagious 
and deadly virus in order to protect the public.
  The lack of personal protective equipment for public safety offers is 
unacceptable. I have spoken with first responders from my district who 
have contracted COVID-19 or been forced to self-isolate because of 
potential exposure.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to express my gratitude for first responders 
and call on Congress to ensure firefighters, police officers, EMTs and 
paramedics have the personal protective equipment they need to do their 
dangerous jobs safely during the ongoing pandemic.