119-hconres27

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 27 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. CON. RES. 27

 Expressing support for the work of open water lifeguards as first 
 responders and emergency response providers.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 April 10, 2025

 Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. Van Drew, and Mr. Suozzi) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
 the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 Expressing support for the work of open water lifeguards as first 
 responders and emergency response providers.

Whereas open water lifeguards perform an essential function of protecting 
 countless lives from death or serious injury;
Whereas these lifeguards do so at great risk to their own lives;
Whereas, in 2021, two lifeguards in the State of New Jersey lost their lives 
 while performing their duty;
Whereas many open water lifeguards are cross-trained in emergency medical 
 response, marine fire safety, law enforcement, and water rescue craft 
 operations;
Whereas lifeguards respond and attend to victims, treat victims, assist victims, 
 and transport victims, the 4 defined duties of a emergency response 
 employee;
Whereas lifeguards not only protect life, but also property, evidence, and the 
 environment, the 4 tenets which define a first responder;
Whereas United States law already recognizes open water lifeguards as first 
 responders or emergency response providers;
Whereas many other countries recognize lifeguards as emergency responders, and 
 grant them access to the programs to which first responders are 
 entitled; and
Whereas, during the COVID-19 emergency, open water lifeguards ought to have been 
 considered ``essential workers'' and given priority access to 
 vaccinations: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress reaffirms that open water lifeguards qualify as first 
responders and emergency response providers, and recognizes the 
essential, lifesaving work performed by these brave individuals.
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