ms. lofgren: mr. speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize someone who has worked on these issues for so many years, in gratitude i represent -- i recognize mr. pascrell from new jersey for three minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. pascrell: thank you, mr. speaker. thank you, zoe. mr. speaker, i rise today in strong support of this legislation to re-authorize the assistance to firefighters grants. staffing for adequate fire and emergency response grants and the united states' fire administration. it is hard to imagine now but 25 years ago federal support for our fire services were nearly nonexistent. very little equity. but then funding for firefighting was primarily the responsibility of the state and local governments. during budget shortfalls, fire departments were often the very first to get cut. and when the department needed the equipment or personnel, they resorted to bake sales and pancake breakfasts. although there's nothing wrong with those, that's a heck of a wa