Kamala Harris Makes Visit to Hometown Firefighters on July 4

Vice President Kamala Harris visited her hometown of Brentwood, California, on July 4, and thanked the firefighters for their service.

Kamala Harris posted a video montage for the 4th of July on Instagram, where she said, “America is back.” She wished Americans a Happy Independence Day and featured clips of her helping her community. The Vice President also said, “When we as Americans join together, we are powerful.”

On Twitter, Harris wrote, “This Independence Day, we honor the servicemembers who protect our nation.” She also thanked the frontline workers who have persevered through the pandemic.

This Independence Day, we honor the servicemembers who protect our nation. And we say thank you to the frontline workers—and all Americans—who are doing the work to end this pandemic.

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 4, 2021

The Vice President and her husband, Doug Emhoff, visited the Los Angeles Fire Department Station 19 and thanked the firefighters for their service. Per the Los Angeles Times, Harris told them, “The courage you show is extraordinary, just extraordinary. You save lives, and you do it so selflessly.” Emhoff added, “On behalf of the neighborhood and behalf of us, thank you for all you do.” Firefighters were some of the essential workers who never took time off during the pandemic.

.@SecondGentleman and I stopped by the Los Angeles Fire Department Station 19 to thank the firefighters for their service to their community and our country, and to wish everyone a Happy July 4th! pic.twitter.com/4JIp27SCnJ

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 4, 2021

There are currently three large fires in Northern California, which have destroyed dozens of homes. Harris and Emhoff noted that they have had to evacuate from their home in the past because of them. Due to the heightened intensity of California wildfires, President Joe Biden announced on June 30 that his administration would increase the federal pay to $15 per hour for front-line firefighters.

The couple shook hands and took pictures with the firefighters in front of their truck. The men saluted Harris as she left the site after her 13-minute visit.

Read President Biden’s full remarks on the California wildfires on the White House website.