CAPTAIN SCOTT SHIELDS, HIS GOLDEN RETRIEVER, BEAR, AND ALL OF THE BRAVE RESCUE DOGS WHO SERVED DURING THE 9/11 TRAGEDY — (Extensions of Remarks - September 08, 2004)

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements of Captain Scott Shields, his golden retriever, Bear and the more than 300 dogs that served our country at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon after the September 11th terrorist attacks. On that fateful morning, Captain Shields and Bear answered the call for assistance at the World Trade Center and were one of the first search and rescue teams to enter the devastated area. Bear and other highly-trained rescue dogs spent the next few days searching in extremely dangerous conditions for those who lost their lives in the attacks.

Scott Shields raised Bear in Westport, Connecticut, where there were no leash laws. As a result, Bear quickly learned to be comfortable maneuvering and taking direction "off leash." In addition to his regular search training, Captain Shields also took Bear to parks, beaches and even obstacle courses to continue his instruction. This preparation proved remarkably useful on the morning of September 11. Trained in disaster management, Captain Shields felt compelled to respond to the disaster and he and Bear drove to what the world would soon recognize as Ground Zero. Captain Shields and Bear entered the disaster site shortly after the second Trade Center tower collapsed to search for those who might have been trapped in the wreckage. Later that day, Captain Shields organized harbor activities, directing boats to transport emergency workers to the Trade Center site.

Bear and his fellow rescue dogs worked in very harsh conditions without the benefits of protective clothing and gas masks. They climbed through piles of debris and squeezed through tunnels of steel and concrete in their attempts to find any signs of human life.

While working in these dangerous conditions, many dogs, including Bear, were injured. Captain Shields and Bear were walking along a steel beam when a piece of twisted metal gouged Bear's back. Although the gash was deep, Bear kept working. Several months later, however, Bear developed a form of skin cancer around the perimeter of the wound. A veterinarian successfully removed the infected tissue, but from then on, Bear's health declined. Bear passed away on September 23, 2002; the following month, hundreds of mourners gathered at his memorial service aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid.

In Bear's memory Captain Shields established the Bear Search and Rescue Foundation to ensure that all dogs who participated in search and rescue operations at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon receive appropriate health care. Additionally, the foundation works diligently to provide equipment and instruction to emergency response teams throughout the country.

Mr. Speaker, I request that my colleagues join me in honoring Bear, Scott Shields and the hundreds of search and rescue teams who served our nation so bravely on September 11th. To these heroes, I offer my continuing respect, admiration and support.

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