Expressing the sense of the Congress with regard to the need for improved fire safety in nonresidential buildings in the aftermath of the tragic fire on February 20, 2003, at a nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 10, 2003

Expresses the deepest condolences of Congress to the family members and friends who lost loved ones as a result of the tragic fire on February 20, 2003, at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, and offers its hope for the quick and full recovery of those persons who were injured in the fire.Expresses immense gratitude for the efforts of countless emergency response personnel, local, State, and Federal officials, health care providers, volunteers, businesses, and citizens who have been part of the response to this tragedy.Urges State and local officials and the owners of entertainment facilities to examine their safety practices, fire codes, and enforcement capabilities in light of this horrific tragedy and to take all necessary action to ensure that such a tragedy never befalls any community again.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] · D–RI

Committees

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

11 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 14, 2003
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Mar 13, 2003
Received in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3760-3761)
Mar 13, 2003
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Received in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S3760-3761)
Mar 12, 2003
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 55). (text of measure as introduced: CR 3/11/2003 H1701-1702)
House roll call 55 · Individual votes
Mar 12, 2003
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 12, 2003
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 55).(text of measure as introduced: CR 3/11/2003 H1701-1702)
House roll call 55 · Individual votes
Mar 12, 2003
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1751)
Mar 11, 2003
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Mar 11, 2003
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 85.
Mar 11, 2003
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1701-1704)
Mar 11, 2003
Mr. Turner (OH) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
Mar 10, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
Mar 10, 2003
Introduced in House
Mar 10, 2003
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Enrolled Bill · Not supplied Formatted Text PDF
Received in Senate · Mar 13, 2003 Formatted Text PDF
Engrossed in House · Mar 11, 2003 Formatted Text PDF
Introduced in House · Mar 10, 2003 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Con.Res.85 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.85, 108th Congress: Expressing the sense of the Congress with regard to the need for improved fire safety in nonresidential buildings in the aftermath of the tragic fire on February 20, 2003, at a nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/85

Text version to examine: Received in Senate · 2003-03-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hconres85/BILLS-108hconres85rds.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:30:29Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.Con.Res.85 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Con.Res.85 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.85, 108th Congress: Expressing the sense of the Congress with regard to the need for improved fire safety in nonresidential buildings in the aftermath of the tragic fire on February 20, 2003, at a nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/85

Text version to examine: Received in Senate · 2003-03-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hconres85/BILLS-108hconres85rds.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:30:29Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.85 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Con.Res.85 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.85, 108th Congress: Expressing the sense of the Congress with regard to the need for improved fire safety in nonresidential buildings in the aftermath of the tragic fire on February 20, 2003, at a nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/85

Text version to examine: Received in Senate · 2003-03-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hconres85/BILLS-108hconres85rds.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:30:29Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.85 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Con.Res.85 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.85, 108th Congress: Expressing the sense of the Congress with regard to the need for improved fire safety in nonresidential buildings in the aftermath of the tragic fire on February 20, 2003, at a nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/85

Text version to examine: Received in Senate · 2003-03-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hconres85/BILLS-108hconres85rds.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:30:29Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.85 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.