[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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