The Congressional Fire Services Institute’s (CFSI) Board of Directors and staff extend their sympathies to the family of former Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman, who passed away this week at 82.

Elected to the United States Senate in 1988, Senate Lieberman served four terms before retiring in 2012.  He was a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus in 2011 and 2012.  During the 112th Congress, Senator Lieberman sponsored the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act and the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act, demonstrating his commitment to our nation’s first responders.  In addition, he was active in several other initiatives, including post-Katrina FEMA reform and the establishment of the public safety broadband network.  CFSI honored the Senator for his leadership on behalf of our nation’s fire service by presenting to him the 2012 CFSI Legislator of the Year Award.

“Senator Lieberman embodied the bipartisan spirit of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus,” said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb.  “He understood the needs and challenges of the fire and emergency services and worked closely with CFSI and the other national fire organizations on federal legislation and programs to support our nation’s first responders.  It was an honor to have worked with him.”

Among the many tributes by his former colleagues, Fire Caucus Co-Chair Senator Susan Collins expressed the following statement:

“Senator Joe Lieberman was a dear friend, a wonderful Senator, and a true patriot.  He not only was one of the best legislators I have known, but also one of the best human beings.  We worked so closely together on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, passing numerous bipartisan bills.  I am heartbroken to learn of his passing.”