[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1188 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1188

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 20, 2026

 Mr. Smith of New Jersey submitted the following resolution; which was 
     referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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 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, 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.
                                 <all>