HONORING NICHOLAS DALE

On 2026-07-20, Representative Jeff Hurd (R-CO-3) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING NICHOLAS DALE" in the House.

HONORING NICHOLAS DALE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)] [House] [Page H4636] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING NICHOLAS DALE (Mr. HURD of Colorado asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nicholas Dale, who gave his life battling the Gold Mountain fire in southwestern Colorado. On July 12, Nicholas was piloting a firefighting helicopter when his aircraft went down in Silver Jack Reservoir. He was 56 years old and had traveled from Sooke, British Columbia, to help protect a State that was not his own. We owe an enormous debt to aerial firefighters like Nicholas. Mission after mission, they fly into smoke and over rugged terrain so ground crews can gain the upper hand and communities have a fighting chance. Nicholas is the fourth firefighter to lose his life battling Colorado wildfires this past month. His death is a sobering reminder of the risks wildland firefighters and aviators face every time they take to the sky or fire line. Mr. Speaker, few Coloradans will ever see their faces, but everyone benefits from their courage. We thank them sincerely. ____________________