[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 87 (Friday, July 1, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   MEMORIAL TO DEA AGENT RICHARD FASS

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 237) in memorial to Agent Richard 
     Fass.
  Mr. DeCONCINI. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator D'Amato and 
myself, I rise today with a deep sense of sadness and regret to inform 
the members of this body that a young, dedicated, and experienced Drug 
Enforcement Administration agent, Richard Fass, was killed in the line 
of duty.
  At 6:40 p.m. last night, in Phoenix, AZ, Agent Fass, acting in an 
undercover capacity, attempted to purchase illegal narcotics from two 
suspects. Agent Fass was shot four times and died, leaving behind his 
wife Theresa, four children, ages 6 through 16, and his parents. The 
tragic death of Agent Fass represents the 26th line-of-duty death for 
agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
  Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Agent Fass, the family 
of the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the entire law enforcement 
community whom I know share deeply in the pain and suffering of this 
tragedy.
  Just a few blocks from this building stands the marble walls of the 
Law Enforcement Memorial. Over 13,000 names are engraved on those 
walls. Sadly, new names are added each year, serving as a grim reminder 
of the dangers faced and sacrifice made by the Nation's law enforcement 
community.
  Agent Fass died last night, a hero. He has paid the ultimate price in 
service to his Nation. All the words we say will never remove the pain 
or sadness felt by his family or his colleagues.
  As we approach the conference on the crime bill we must remember that 
it will be the law enforcement officer that will ultimately be tasked 
with carrying out the many initiatives and provisions of the laws we 
enact. We are in desperate need of a strong crime bill that protects 
our citizens, but it must also, adequately support and properly protect 
the law enforcement officer. If we are to embark on a comprehensive law 
enforcement initiative, then the entire law enforcement community--
State, local, and Federal officers, must be provided with all of the 
tools and resources required to carry out their mission. These public 
servants deserve our support in the laws which we enact, the resources 
which we provide and compensation we authorize. They deserve all of 
these things and they deserve it, now. Please do not delay. Please 
champion their cause. Over 13,000 names are etched on the memorial wall 
and we are faced, once again, with another death and the sad addition 
of another name.
  Mr. President, I urge the adoption of the resolution.
  Mr. President, I thank my colleagues and thank the distinguished 
chairman for allowing me the privilege to have considered this 
resolution.
  Mr. NUNN. Mr. President, I urge adoption of the resolution.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the resolution.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution (S. Res. 237) and its preamble are as follows:

                              S. Res. 237

       Whereas, Richard Fass, a Drug Enforcement Administration 
     agent was slain in the line of duty in Phoenix, Arizona last 
     night;
       Whereas, to date, 26 DEA agents have been killed in the 
     line of duty;
       Whereas, over 13,000 names have been placed on the Law 
     Enforcement Memorial honoring law enforcement officers from 
     all across the country who have been killed in the line of 
     duty;
       Whereas, the entire law enforcement family shares in the 
     pain and the grief when a fellow officer is lost;
       Whereas, it helps to ease the pain and suffering when 
     fellow officers are present to share the loss;
       Whereas, current law permits active military officers to 
     travel in an official capacity to funerals of fellow 
     colleagues killed in the line of duty:
       Whereas, the nation mourns the loss of this fine, young, 
     and dedicated law enforcement officer;
       Whereas, the Senate sends it condolences to the family of 
     Richard Fass; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That the Administration should 
     submit legislation to the Congress which authorizes Federal 
     law enforcement officers to be excused from duty without loss 
     or reduction in pay, leave, or credit for service, to attend 
     the funeral of a fellow Federal law enforcement officer who 
     was killed in the line of duty and in the interim, the 
     Attorney General should exercise her authority to permit DEA 
     personnel to attend the funeral or related services of agent 
     Richard Fass.

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