[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1213 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1213

   A resolution regarding violence against law enforcement officers.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 8, 2024

 Mr. Stauber submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   A resolution regarding violence against law enforcement officers.

Whereas, beginning in 2020, and in conjunction with the ``defund the police'' 
        movement, respect for the rule of law and law enforcement officials 
        diminished;
Whereas this change in attitude has resulted in record death and injury to 
        America's law enforcement officers at the Federal, State, local, and 
        Tribal level;
Whereas policies implemented at several State and local jurisdictions have 
        increased the difficulty and added significant risks for law enforcement 
        to do their jobs effectively and safely;
Whereas law enforcement is demanded to handle societal problems, including a 
        nationwide mental health crisis, record-setting overdose poisonings due 
        to fentanyl, and an increase in the homeless population;
Whereas the lack of accountability for violent criminals with decreased 
        penalties and no-bail policies has opened the door for record criminal 
        activity in cities across the country;
Whereas these policies have encouraged the public to aggressively and violently 
        engage with law enforcement;
Whereas law enforcement officers answer every service call, regardless of 
        community support or ridicule;
Whereas law enforcement officers answer every service call, regardless of the 
        threat to their lives;
Whereas there are currently 23,785 names of law enforcement officers killed in 
        the line of duty inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers 
        Memorial in Washington, DC;
Whereas the deadliest year on record for law enforcement was 2021, when 586 law 
        enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty;
Whereas, in 2022, 224 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty;
Whereas, in 2023, 137 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty;
Whereas 378 law enforcement officers were shot in the line of duty in 2023, the 
        highest year on record, of which 115 were violent ambush attacks;
Whereas the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund anticipates adding 
        at least 151 names to the sacred walls in the spring of 2024, 
        representing the current and historical deaths which, to date, have been 
        approved as line-of-duty deaths;
Whereas the average fallen law enforcement officer is 45 years old;
Whereas the average fallen law enforcement officer has 15 years of service;
Whereas the average fallen law enforcement officer leaves behind 2 children; and
Whereas current data does not show how many law enforcement officers are 
        assaulted, injured, or disabled in the line of duty each year: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns calls to defund the police, which has 
        increased violence towards law enforcement officers;
            (2) recognizes that law enforcement officers must have the 
        equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect the 
        health and safety of the public as well as their fellow law 
        enforcement officers on the job;
            (3) recognizes the need for better data collection on law 
        enforcement officers who are assaulted, injured, or disabled in 
        the line of duty;
            (4) acknowledges its responsibility for exemplifying a 
        respect for the rule of law and for the law enforcement 
        officers who protect communities across the Nation;
            (5) acknowledges the mental stress and strain law 
        enforcement officers suffer not only due to the pressures and 
        realities of the job, but also the negative environment in 
        which they often must work;
            (6) acknowledges the need to strengthen its relationship 
        with law enforcement to ensure policy decisions are aligned 
        with the realities law enforcement officers face daily; and
            (7) expresses condolences and solemn appreciation to the 
        loved ones of each law enforcement officer who has made the 
        ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
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