Harold Shaitberger, President, International Association of Firefighters Democratic National Convention Wednesday, July 28, 2004 BOSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of a speech by Harold Shaitberger, President, International Association of Firefighters, before the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, July 28, 2004: You've just watched what firefighters and paramedics -- all over the floor of this Convention, and across America -- do everyday in every community in every state across our great country. The over 270,000 strong that are a part of our union who protect the citizens of this great nation -- put their lives on the line -- to protect America's homeland. These firefighters are proud to stand with John Kerry and John Edwards, because they know that more than half of our communities don't have the staffing, training, equipment, or funding they need to do their job in these times of new threats to our nation. And John Kerry and John Edwards stand with us in working to do what the 9/11 Commission just last week reinforced: to immediately work to improve the preparedness of our country, because we are still not safe. John Kerry is a man that understands and has displayed service and sense of duty to country. John Kerry knows what it takes to make America stronger at home, and once again respected around the world. That's why, last September, when others said he couldn't do it, this nation's firefighters were so proud to stand up for John Kerry! And that's why we will stand with John Kerry and John Edwards every day until victory is ours. Seventy years ago Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave this country hope and a New Deal. A decade later, bold President Harry S. Truman gave the neediest in this country a Fair Deal. For the last three and a half years all we've been getting is a Raw Deal. Now it's up to all of us this November to give America the Real Deal. Join us in sending John Kerry and John Edwards to the White House. Thank you, and God bless America. Source: Democratic National Convention Committee CONTACT: Peggy Wilhide of the Democratic National Convention Committee, +1-617-366-3100 Web site: http://www.dems2004.org/