H.Res. 729

H.Res. 729 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, under a motion to suspend the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) on September 10, 2009.

H.Res. 729 would resolve that Congress:
• "Urges the President to designate a day as ‘National Firefighters Memorial Day' to commemorate Federal, State, and local firefighters killed or disabled in the line of duty; and
• "Calls upon the people of the United States to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies and respect."

According to the resolution's findings, President Harding declared the week of October 9 to be "Fire Prevention Week" in 1922. The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service takes place each year at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, on the Sunday before Fire Prevention Week.