www.DelcoBar.org AWAKENING THE SLEEPING GIANT: THE POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF AMERICA'S HEROES O lder than America itself, the tradition of men and women who protect our cities, towns and villages has been largely taken for granted by government at all levels until Congressman Curt Weldon arrived in Washington, DC in 1987. In spite of serving our nation largely as volunteers, this group of "domestic defenders" could not get the recognition and support from our leaders in our Capital until they implemented the strategic plan and vision created by Weldon. Following and implementing Weldon's vision, they empowered the Congressional Fire Caucus to become the largest and most effective Member organization in the Capital. Thirty years later, the Fire Caucus remains the largest and most successful bi-partisan Member organization within the U.S. Congress, resulting in billions of dollars of new resources and technology designed to save lives and property in the worse possible situations. Awakening the Sleeping Giant provides a fresh look at the importance of firefighters and first responders to America and our stability as a nation and provides a strategic vision of firefighters and first responders unifying and changing the world. Wayne Curtis "Curt" Weldon is an American politician. He served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 2007, representing the 7th district of Pennsylvania. Weldon served as vice-chair of the Armed Services Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee. He was also the co-chair of the DumaCongress Study Group, the official inter-parliamentary relationship between the United States and Russia. 28 | Fall 2017 *http://www.DelcoBar.org