[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12256-S12257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPENDENTS ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1996

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I want to comment briefly about the 
signing into law this morning of the Federal Law Enforcement Dependents 
Assistance Act of 1996.
  This is legislation to provide education and job training benefits to 
widows or spouses of Federal law enforcement officers killed or 
rendered totally and permanently disabled--and their children--in the 
line of duty.
  I introduced the legislation in the Senate following my chairing of 
the Ruby Ridge hearings which resulted in the tragic death of Marshal 
Degan.
  I am proud to wear today the U.S. Marshal's badge of Bill Degan which 
was handed out at the signing ceremonies this morning.
  Ruby Ridge was a great tragedy.
  It involved the loss of three lives, all very valuable, and it cost 
the life of Bill Degan. I have had the opportunity to sit and visit 
with Mrs. Degan, his widow, and their two young sons, Bill, Jr., and 
Brian. Our meetings focused attention on the issue so that legislation 
could be passed.
  On the House side, companion legislation was introduced by my 
distinguished colleagues, Congressman Jon Fox, from suburban 
Philadelphia, and Congressman Gerry Studds, from Massachusetts. It 
applies to many law enforcement officers who have been tragically 
killed, one of whom is FBI agent Chuck Reid, who was gunned down on 
March 22, 1996, just a few months ago, in arresting a drug suspect in 
Philadelphia. It tells Federal law enforcement officers and their 
families that the Government stands behind them, and if they are killed 
or totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty, we will 
protect their spouses and their children. As we consider this matter 
further, it may be that similar benefits ought to be structured for law 
enforcement officers generally, for they represent the thin blue line 
which stands between the citizenry and violence in our streets, 
something in which I have had extensive experience as district attorney 
of Philadelphia.
  I ask unanimous consent that two letters be printed in the Record 
from the Federal Investigators Association and Federal Law Enforcement 
Officers Association commending the Congress for this legislation.
  There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                           Federal Investigators' Association,

                              Carle Place, NY, September 30, 1996.
     Hon. Arlen Specter,
     U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Specter: As president of the Federal 
     Investigators' Association (FIA), a professional and 
     fraternal organization representing federal law enforcement 
     agents throughout the United States, I wish to thank you, on 
     behalf of our membership, for sponsoring Senate resolution 
     2101. Our Washington Director, Don Baldwin, happily reported 
     to me last week that the bill has passed both houses of 
     congress and is now awaiting the President's signature. We 
     understand that there is no opposition and that the bill will 
     be signed into law.
       The Act will provide ``educational assistance to the 
     dependents of federal law enforcement officers killed or 
     disabled in the performance of their duties.'' We applaud

[[Page S12257]]

     your actions in the aid to federal officers, who can no 
     longer provide financial support to their families because of 
     injury or death resultant from tragedies occurring in their 
     work. The Act will relieve much of the stress which federal 
     law enforcement officers' families deal with because a brave 
     officer has lost his or her life or become disabled in the 
     line of duty.
       I understand that you acted immediately upon learning of 
     the sad loss of federal officers at Ruby Ridge. You have done 
     a great service for our federal law enforcement officers and 
     their families, I am sure this will go a long way toward 
     boosting the morale of all agents.
       I am sure that I speak for the thousands of federal law 
     enforcement officers and their dependents in thanking you for 
     the sponsorship of this important legislation.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                  J. Michael Daly,
     National President.
                                                                    ____

                                           Federal Law Enforcement


                                         Officers Association,

                                               September 18, 1996.
     Hon. Arlen Specter,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Specter: On behalf of the over 12,000 members 
     of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), 
     the largest association representing Federal criminal 
     investigators in the nation, I am pleased to inform you that 
     we fully support S. 1243, the ``Federal Law Enforcement 
     Dependents Assistance Act of 1966.'' I Also want to thank you 
     for proposing this fine piece of legislation.
       As you may already know, many states and local 
     municipalities currently have legislation which ensures that 
     the dependents of local officers killed or disabled in the 
     line of duty receive assistance towards education or job 
     training. Also, many local police agencies provide for the 
     continuing education of survivors under the same 
     circumstances. None of this exists at the Federal level. S. 
     1234 will correct this oversight regarding Federal law 
     enforcement officers.
       If you or your staff wish to contact me please call 212-
     637-6543.
           Very truly yours,
                                                   Victor Oboyski,
                                               National President.
  Mr. SPECTER. I thank my colleague from Georgia for waiting.
  I thank the Chair and yield the floor.
  Mr. COVERDELL addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Snowe). The Senator from Georgia is 
recognized.
  Mr. COVERDELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that I be 
allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________