Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 2, 2001
For additional information, contact:
Larry Berman (401) 729-5600

KENNEDY CO-SPONSORS SUCCESSFUL BILL TO
RAISE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR
FEDERAL FIREFIGHTERS BY TWO YEARS

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) was a co-sponsor of a bill
unanimously approved by the U.S. House this week which raises the mandatory retirement age
for federal firefighters from 55 to 57.

The Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act (HR 93) had unanimously passed
the House at the end of the last session, but failed to pass in the Senate. With the successful
House passage so early this year, sponsors are optimistic the Senate will follow suit and the law
will become enacted.

"The past few fire seasons have brought to our attention the fact that we need to recruit and
retain more federal firefighters," said Kennedy. "The Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness
Act will help accomplish that goal."

Several years ago, Congress introduced legislation which raised the mandatory retirement
age for "federal law enforcement officers" from 55 to 57, but Congress neglected to extend the
exemption to federal firefighters. The net result has been a significant reduction in firefighters
nationwide, and the lack of experienced firefighters could lead to dangerous situations.

Kennedy was one of five co-sponsors of the House legislation, introduced by
Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-CA), which passed on a vote of 401-0.