Hoyer Awarded by National Fire Protection Association

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer was honored yesterday afternoon by The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the nation's authority on fire, electrical, and building safety. Hoyer was named as this year's recipient of their Excellence in Fire Safety Award in recognition of a career of service dedicated to the advancement of fire safety. This is the first time the NFPA has made this award and Congressman Hoyer is the first recipient.

"Congressman Hoyer, your support for fire safety and the fire service in Congress is unsurpassed," said John Biechman, Vice President of Government Affairs at NFPA. "You were instrumental in founding the Congressional Fire Service Caucus; you helped secure passage of the Hotel-Motel Fire Safety Act, ensuring the safety of government workers on travel throughout the country; your early efforts provided the muscle that created the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program; and your support for important consumer related fire safety issues like the establishment of flammability standards for children's sleepwear and the fire safe cigarette legislation is greatly appreciated.

"For all of these accomplishments and efforts, I am pleased to present you with the NFPA Excellence in Fire Safety Award," Biechman said.

"I am deeply honored and proud to have been chosen by the NFPA to receive this award," said Congressman Hoyer. "My work on the Congressional Fire Services Caucus has been tremendously rewarding and I have been privileged to Co-Chair this Caucus with Curt Weldon for many years. The Fire Caucus has long championed initiatives to improve the safety and well being of our nation's firefighters, and to enhance their ability to protect our communities. And, I will continue to work to ensure that our firefighters have the staff, equipment and training that they need to keep their departments running safely and efficiently."

NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research, training and education.

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