[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 87 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      AMEND THE OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT OF 1968

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                        HON. DONALD A. MANZULLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 1996

  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation that 
would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to 
ensure that families of police and fire chaplains killed in the line of 
duty will receive well-deserved death benefits. I introduced this 
legislation in the previous Congress. It passed the House as an 
amendment to the omnibus crime bill but was taken out during the 
conference between the House and Senate negotiators. Thankfully, it is 
a rare occurrence when a fire of police chaplain loses his life in the 
line of duty. However, if such a tragedy does occur, the families of 
these courageous men and women will not be left out in the cold. These 
unsung heroes will have the assurance of knowing that their loved ones 
will be taken care of.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, a rare occurrence did take place on June 
18, 1994, when Los Angeles County Police Chaplain Bruce Michael Bryan 
was killed. Chaplain Bryan was an officially recognized and trained 
police chaplain. The night he was killed, he accompanied a sheriff's 
deputy on a routine call to a bar. The deputy first detained and 
subsequently drove home an intoxicated individual. Apparently, the 
individual believed he was under arrest, panicked and wrestled the 
deputy's gun free. The detained shot the deputy, did not kill him, and 
proceeded to chase Chaplain Bryan before shooting him three times in 
the head execution style.
  Chaplain Bryan was a volunteer chaplain based out at the Carson 
Sheriff's substation. He was certified as their official chaplain and 
would hold Sunday morning services for the other officers. Yet, his 
record of public service was not only that of a police chaplain. He was 
very involved in his local church and also established and operated New 
Heart Ministries which offers continuing help and rehabilitation to 
former criminals starting new lives outside incarceration.
  It is on behalf of all police and fire chaplain that I introduce this 
legislation today. In the memory and honor of Chaplain Bryan, I have 
titled the legislation the ``Bruce M. Bryan Police and Fire Chaplain 
Public Safety Officers's Benefit Act of 1996''. It is my sincere hope 
that Congress will pass this important and necessary piece of 
legislation.
  Police and fire chaplains are often called upon to confront dangerous 
circumstances. For example, they may be counted upon to participate in 
situations where criminals are holding hostages, drive an ambulance if 
needed, or even pick-up a fire ax to combat a deadly fire. These men 
and women to to work every day and perform their duties diligently and 
quietly, responding to the same crime and fire scenes that their 
colleagues do.
  I would like to take this opportunity to ask my colleagues that they 
join me in cosponsoring this legislation which would compensate the 
families of police and fire chaplains who, while in the line of duty, 
could pay the ultimate price possible for doing their job. This bill 
amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to ensure 
that police and fire chaplains killed in the line of duty receive 
federal death benefits.
  I ask unanimous consent that this letter from Fateher William 
Wentink, police chaplain for the Rockford, IL, Police Department and 
the Illinois State Police, be inserted here as part of the Record.
                                       Rockford Police Department,


                                 Saint Anthony Medical Center,

                                       Rockford, IL, May 17, 1996.
     Congressman Donald A. Manzullo,
     Cannon House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Manzullo, for over a quarter of a century 
     I have served as Chaplain for the Rockford Police Department. 
     I am also Chaplain for the Illinois State Police and the 
     Federal Bureau of Investigation. The City of Rockford Police 
     Department has approximately 30 Police Chaplains. There is a 
     Chaplain on duty 24 hours a day every day of the year. These 
     are all volunteer positions. Our Chaplains are involved in 
     many areas of Police work. This includes helping people who 
     need a place to stay, food or medicine. We also talk with 
     people who might be lonely or suicidal. We are also involved 
     in death situations. Our Chaplains are on the scenes of major 
     disturbances and incidents in our city.
       More and more Law Enforcement Agencies are utilizing the 
     expertise and professionalism of Police Chaplains. Estimates 
     are that between 25% and 50% of the 17,000 Law Enforcement 
     agencies in our Country have Police Chaplains on staff. 
     Approximately 1,200 of these Police Chaplains belong to the 
     International Conference of Police Chaplains. Of these 1,200 
     Police Chaplains over 93% are volunteer. They offer their 
     time, talents, and service to the citizens of their 
     communities.
       In the United States there are over 100 Police Officers 
     killed in the line of duty each year. There is a Federal 
     death benefit of over $100,000.00 that goes to the estate of 
     a Police Officer whose life is taken in the performance of 
     duty. I am asking if it would be possible to include Police 
     Chaplains in this benefit. Although most are volunteer, they 
     are officially appointed to their Departments and carry out 
     their obligations and duties under the command and direction 
     of the head of the agency.
       Thank you for your consideration and efforts in this 
     important matter.
           Very truly yours,
                                          Rev. William R. Wentink,
     Chaplain.

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