H.Con.Res. 85 (ih) Expressing the sense of the Congress with regard to the need for improved fire safety in nonresidential buildings in the aftermath of the tragic fire on February 20, 2003, at a nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. [Introduced in Hou...

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        H.Con.Res.85
                                        Agreed to March 13, 2003        

                       One Hundred Eighth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
           the seventh day of January, two thousand and three


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas, on the night of February 20, 2003, a pyrotechnic display 
  ignited a massive fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, 
  Rhode Island;

Whereas 99 people have died as a result of the fire and an additional 
  186 people were injured in the fire, many of whom remain hospitalized 
  as of the date of the submission of this resolution with life-
  threatening burns and other injuries;

Whereas the victims of the fire were residents of Rhode Island, 
  Massachusetts, Connecticut, and several other States;

Whereas the firefighters, police officers (particularly officers of the 
  West Warwick Police Department who were the first to arrive on the 
  scene), and medical personnel who responded to the fire performed 
  heroically under horrific circumstances, and they risked their own 
  lives to save many of the injured;

Whereas, at hospitals in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, doctors, 
  nurses, hospital staff, mental health professionals, and other health 
  care workers toiled through the night and in the following days to 
  care for the injured, and they continue to provide world-class care 
  to victims of the fire who remain hospitalized;

Whereas hospital care for victims of the fire was provided at Rhode 
  Island Hospital, Kent County Hospital, South County Hospital, Fatima 
  Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Roger 
  Williams Hospital, Landmark Hospital, University of Massachusetts/
  Worcester Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Westerly Hospital, 
  Shriners Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Charlton 
  Hospital, and Newport Hospital;

Whereas the local Red Cross, with 10 paid staff and over 400 dedicated 
  volunteers, has played a critical role in offering comfort to the 
  families of victims and coordinating services;

Whereas State and local officials have responded to the fire and its 
  aftermath quickly, effectively, and compassionately, and the people 
  of Rhode Island and the Nation are grateful for their efforts;

Whereas Governor Donald Carcieri of Rhode Island and West Warwick Town 
  Manager Wolfgang Bauer have shown exceptional leadership under trying 
  circumstances and their sensitivity to the families impacted by the 
  tragedy is much appreciated; Lt. Governor Charles Fogarty and Maj. 
  Gen. Reginald Centracchio, as Co-Chairs of the Emergency Management 
  Advisory Council, have also played a crucial role in responding to 
  the tragedy; and the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency has 
  impressively and effectively coordinated a myriad of State and local 
  activities;

Whereas area funeral directors and medical examiners have provided 
  outstanding service throughout the tragedy;

Whereas the staff of the local family resource center has helped the 
  families of victims to access the services and information they need 
  and provided care and comfort to hundreds of grieving family members;

Whereas the people of Rhode Island and concerned citizens across the 
  United States have shown incredible generosity in response to the 
  tragedy, contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to victims' 
  assistance efforts;

Whereas many local businesses have provided victims and their families 
  with crucial services from food to transportation, members of the 
  Rhode Island Bar Association and Rhode Island Trial Lawyers 
  Association have offered free assistance to victims and their 
  families with immediate legal issues, and community mental health 
  centers and mental health professionals have provided critical mental 
  health care to victims and their families and other members of the 
  community;

Whereas Federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration, 
  the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, 
  Tobacco, and Firearms, the Department of Health and Human Services, 
  the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Small 
  Business Administration, have offered assistance and expertise that 
  has been extremely helpful to the State's emergency response to the 
  tragedy;

Whereas the West Warwick fire is only the most recent example of how 
  deadly fire can be in nonresidential buildings;

Whereas, in 2001, the last year in which full statistics are available, 
  80 people were killed and 1,650 injured in fires in nonresidential 
  buildings, not including the victims of the terrorist attacks on 
  September 11, 2001; and

Whereas, on February 17, 2003, 21 people were killed in a tragic 
  stampede at the E2 Nightclub in Chicago, Illinois, and this tragedy 
  and the West Warwick fire, which have deeply impacted persons 
  throughout the United States, emphasize the critical need for 
  enhancements in nightclub and concert hall safety: Now, therefore, be 
  it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
        (1) expresses its deepest condolences to the family members and 
    friends who lost loved ones as a result of the tragic fire on 
    February 20, 2003, at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode 
    Island, and offers its hope for the quick and full recovery of 
    those persons who were injured in the fire;
        (2) expresses immense gratitude for the efforts of countless 
    emergency response personnel, local, State, and Federal officials, 
    health care providers, volunteers, businesses, and citizens who 
    have been part of the response to this tragedy; and
        (3) urges State and local officials and the owners of 
    entertainment facilities to examine their safety practices, fire 
    codes, and enforcement capabilities in light of this horrific 
    tragedy and to take all necessary action to ensure that such a 
    tragedy never befalls any community again.
  Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

  Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.

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