[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 26, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: April 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
USE OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR THE 13TH ANNUAL NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS'
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 237) authorizing the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the 13th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial
Service.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 237
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring),
SECTION 1. USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE
OFFICERS' MEMORIAL SERVICE.
The National Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary
shall be permitted to sponsor a public event, the 13th annual
National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, on the Capitol
grounds on May 15, 1994, or on such other date as the Speaker
of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore
of the Senate may jointly designate, in order to honor the
151 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty
during 1993.
SEC. 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
(a) In General.--The event authorized to be conducted on
the Capitol grounds under section 1 shall be free of
admission charge to the public and arranged not to interfere
with the needs of Congress, under conditions to be prescribed
by the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board.
(b) Expenses and Liabilities.--The National Fraternal Order
of Police and its auxiliary shall assume full responsibility
for all expenses and liabilities incident to all activities
associated with the event.
SEC. 3. EVENT PREPARATIONS.
(a) Structures and Equipment.--Subject to the approval of
the Architect of the Capitol, the National Fraternal Order of
Police and its auxiliary are authorized to erect upon the
Capitol grounds such stage, sound amplification devices, and
other related structures and equipment, as may be required
for the event authorized to be conducted on the Capitol
grounds under section 1.
(b) Additional Arrangements.--The Architect of the Capitol
and the Capitol Police Board are authorized to make any such
additional arrangements as may be required to carry out the
event.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York [Mr. Nadler] will recognized for 20 minutes, and the gentleman
from Tennessee [Mr. Duncan] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York [Mr. Nadler].
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased and honored to be associated with this
resolution which would authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for
this very notable memorial service. All citizens are aware of the great
danger inherent in today's law enforcement profession. We have all
witnessed the profound sacrifices made by these brave men and women
and, of course, by their families. Too often in recent years the thin
blue line has been stretched beyond capacity. Budget cuts and lack of
other resources have contributed to making the law enforcement
profession one of constant exposure to danger and death.
In 1963, President John Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace
Officers' Memorial Day. It is a day to reflect upon the meaningful and
important contributions made by our National law enforcement community.
I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing and honoring the
dedication and memory of our slain law enforcement officers.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I am pleased to rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 237,
which authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 13th annual
National Peace Officers Memorial Service. This event will pay respect
to those peace officers who have died in the line of duty this past
year.
The men and women who serve as peace officers in this Nation are very
special. They risk their lives on a daily basis to make our families,
streets, neighborhoods, and workplaces safe.
Certainly the most basic civil right of all is the right of people to
be safe in their homes and in their communities. Unfortunately, in far
too many instances, these officers pay the ultimate price to protect
each of us from harm. It is these officers who will be honored at this
year's memorial service.
I would like to tell the family, friends, and fellow officers of
those peace officers who died in the line of duty this past year that
all of us share your grief and sense of loss. I also want them to know
that we here in the Congress share their pride in the knowledge that
these brave officers are true American heroes.
The grounds of the U.S. Capitol have been utilized to honor
Presidents and world leaders. However, I can think of no better use of
our Capitol than to honor the men and women who serve all of us as
peace officers.
Mr. Speaker, for 7\1/2\ years before coming to Congress I served as a
criminal circuit court judge in Tennessee, and I worked very closely
with the law enforcement personnel in my home State, and I can tell my
colleagues that I am proud to be associated with them in every way.
I am told that some 153 men and women lost their lives in the line of
duty as law enforcement or peace officers in this country this past
year. I think it is altogether fitting and proper that we honor them in
this way, and I urge passage of House Concurrent Resolution 237.
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, as the author of House Concurrent
Resolution 237, which would authorize the use of the grounds of the
U.S. Capitol for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on May
15, 1994, I rise in strong support of this resolution and urge the
House to approve it today. As chairman of the House Public Works and
Transportation Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Grounds, I am
pleased that both the subcommittee and the full committee worked
expeditiously to approve this resolution and bring it to the House
floor.
I would like to thank the chairman of the full committee, my esteemed
colleague Norman Mineta, the ranking minority member of the full
committee, Mr. Shuster, the vice chair of my subcommittee, Ms. Norton,
and the ranking minority member of my subcommittee, Mr. Duncan, for
their support of House Concurrent Resolution 237 and their cooperation
in moving this resolution forward.
Mr. Speaker, from 1981 to 1985, I had the honor of serving as sheriff
of Mahoning County, OH. As a former law enforcement officer, I know all
too well the many challenges facing America's law enforcement officers.
The 151 officers who died in the line of duty in 1993 are a tragic
reminder of the many dangers facing law enforcement and of the enormous
sacrifices our police officers continue to make to keep our streets
safe. I can't think of a more appropriate place in America to honor
these fallen heroes than the U.S. Capitol. As sheriff, I felt the pain
and anguish of having one of my deputies, John R. ``Sonny'' Litch, Jr.,
killed in the line of duty on October 22, 1981. I am gratified that
Sonny's name is among the more than 10,000 names of fallen law
enforcement heroes that appear on the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial here in Washington, DC.
Mr. Speaker, 596 law enforcement officers from Ohio have been killed
in the line of duty since Ohio became a State. At this time, I'd like
to list the names of those officers from my congressional district who
have fallen in the line of duty.
From the Campbell Police Department: Patrolman John Constantino,
killed on May 11, 1920; Lieutenant Albert Masi, killed on February 12,
1973; and Captain Joseph Ruby, killed on November 11, 1923.
From the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office: Deputy Sheriff John R.
Litch, Jr., killed on October 22, 1981.
From the Poland Police Department: Patrolman Richard Elton Becker,
killed on November 6, 1983, and Patrolman Charles K. Yates, killed on
March 30, 1984.
From the Struthers Police Department: Patrolman Richard Darwich,
killed on November 16, 1952, and Patrolman John Harkins, killed on
January 5, 1952.
From the Youngstown Police Department: Patrolman Samuel Banks, killed
on October 4, 1919; Patrolman Frank Cichon, killed on December 21,
1963; Patrolman Henry Clemons, killed on December 4, 1927; Patrolman
Ralph J. DeSalle, killed on June 13, 1984; Patrolman Paul Joseph
Durkin, killed on September 22, 1987; Patrolman Alfred Evans, killed on
November 5, 1911; Patrolman William Freed, killed on May 16, 1891;
Patrolman George Leonard, killed on March 29, 1924; Patrolman Alexander
Warren, killed on May 3, 1921; Detective Sergeant Millard Williams,
killed on April 14, 1992; and Detective Ben Yeaden, killed on February
4, 1925.
Mr. Speaker, the 13th annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service
is sponsored by the National Fraternal Order of Police [FOP] and the
FOP Auxiliary. The service will honor the 151 law enforcement officers
who died in the line of duty in 1993. I want to commend the FOP and the
FOP Auxiliary for the fine job they do each and every year in
sponsoring and conducting this important and moving service.
All too often, after the headlines fade, the families of the slain
officers are forgotten. The emotional scars of losing a loved one never
fade. The FOP and FOP Auxiliary, along with Concerns of Police
Survivors [COPS] do a truly remarkable job of reaching out to the
families and helping them get through the tough times. Their efforts
should be recognized and applauded.
The National Peace Officers Memorial Service on May 15, 1994, will
once again remind the Nation that that law enforcement is a dangerous
and challenging profession, and the brave men and women continue to
give their lives to protect their fellow citizens. The service
hopefully will draw the Nation's attention and provide an opportunity
for all Americans to reflect upon the bravery, dedication, and
integrity of our law enforcement officers.
Once again, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House
Concurrent Resolution 237 and vote for its approval today.
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I, too, yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York [Mr. Nadler] that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, House Concurrent Resolution
237.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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