WHEREAS, The California Firefighters Memorial, located on the grounds of the State Capitol, serves to honor and commemorate California firefighters who unwaveringly serve our great state with pride, courage, and honor; and

WHEREAS, The California Firefighters Memorial is also a symbol of gratitude and appreciation to the people of the fire service who put their lives on the line each day to protect the people, property, and beauty of California; and

WHEREAS, Each of the over 1,300 names engraved on the brushed limestone walls of the California Firefighters Memorial serves as a timeless tribute to the finest and bravest of our state who have made the ultimate sacrifice as firefighters; and

WHEREAS, The California Firefighters Memorial is the only state monument capturing the names in perpetuity of those courageous firefighters in California who have put service to our great State of California above all else; and

WHEREAS, Many of the fallen firefighters whose names adorn the California Firefighters Memorial died either under tragic, traumatic circumstances or suffered and ultimately succumbed to job-caused diseases, such as occupational cancer, as a result of the hazardous nature of their work, including routine exposure to toxins; and

WHEREAS, On September 28, 2019, hundreds of firefighters and their families from throughout the state will gather in Sacramento with their fellow Californians for the 17th Annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony to honor the people of the fire service who have selflessly given their lives to protect California; now, therefore, be it