Reps. McClain Delaney, Pappas, Other Lawmakers Urge DHS to Keep the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Open Ahead of Annual Remembrance

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01), and 19 other House colleagues sent a letter urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure the United States Fire Administration campus in Emmitsburg, Md.-home to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial-remains fully open and accessible to families and the public during its annual memorial weekend on May 2-3, 2026.

This year, 204 firefighters from 43 states who died in the line of duty will be honored at the site during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Their names will be etched in bronze at the memorial, which was constructed in 1981 and designated by Congress in 1990 as a National Memorial. Due to the current funding lapse, access to the campus and memorial is uncertain. The lawmakers are calling on DHS to ensure the site remains fully open and accessible throughout the commemoration.

"The firefighters we recognize this year died in service to others. Their families now carry that legacy forward. They should not be faced with additional uncertainty when traveling to the one place established to honor their loved ones on behalf of an entire grateful nation," the lawmakers wrote.

"[T]his is far more than a logistical concern," the lawmakers stated. "It represents an irreplaceable moment of remembrance for their families, friends, and colleagues-many of whom may never again have the opportunity to gather at the Memorial where their loved one is permanently honored."

The letter was also signed by Reps. Neguse (CO-2), Hoyer (MD-05), Larson (CT-01), Mfume (MD-07), Carbajal (CA-24), Goldman (NY-10), Riley (NY-19), Scanlon (PA-05), Johnson (GA-04), Carson (IN-07), Lynch (MA-08), Matsui (CA-07), Bell (MO-01), Kennedy (NY-26), Randall (WA-06), Huffman (CA-02), Barragán (CA-44), Jackson (IL-01), and Goodlander (NH-02).

Read the letter.