[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 52 (Monday, April 28, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 79--TO COMMEMORATE THE 1997 NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS 
                              MEMORIAL DAY

  Mr. KEMPTHORNE (for himself, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Ashcroft, Mr. 
Brownback, Mr. Burns, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Cochran, Ms. 
Collins, Mr. Coverdell, Mr. Craig, Mr. DeWine, Mr. D'Amato, Mr. 
Faircloth, Mr. Gorton, Mr. Gramm, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Hagel, 
Mr. Helms, Mr. Hutchinson, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Jeffords, 
Mr. Lott, Mr. McCain, Mr. Nickles, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Smith of New 
Hampshire, Mr. Specter, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Warner, Mr. Akaka, 
Mr. Biden, Mr. Bingaman, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Dodd, 
Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Ford, Mr. 
Glenn, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kohl, 
Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Robb, 
Mr. Sarbanes, and Mr. Torricelli) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 79

       Whereas, the well-being of all citizens of this country is 
     preserved and enhanced as a direct result of the vigilance 
     and dedication of law enforcement personnel;
       Whereas, more than 500,000 men and women, at great risk to 
     their personal safety, presently serve their fellow citizens 
     in their capacity as guardians of the peace;
       Whereas, peace officers are the front line in preserving 
     our childrens' right to receive an education in a crime-free 
     environment that is all too often threatened by the insidious 
     fear caused by violence in schools;
       Whereas, 117 peace officers lost their lives in the 
     performance of their duty in 1996, and a total of 13,692 men 
     and women have now made that supreme sacrifice;
       Whereas, every year 1 in 9 officers is assaulted, 1 in 25 
     is injured, and 1 in 4,000 is killed in the line of duty;
       Whereas, on May 15, 1997, more than 15,000 peace officers 
     are expected to gather in our nation's Capital to join with 
     the families of their recently fallen comrades to honor them 
     and all others before them: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the United States of America in 
     Congress assembled, That May 15, 1997, is hereby designated 
     as ``National Peace Officers Memorial Day'' for the purpose 
     of recognizing all peace officers slain in the line of duty. 
     The President is authorized and requested to issue a 
     proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to 
     observe this day with the appropriate ceremonies and respect.

  Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a Senate 
resolution designating May 15, 1997, as National Peace Officers 
Memorial Day.
  This is the fourth year in a row I have offered this resolution and I 
am proud to be joined this year by 55 of my colleagues in honoring the 
brave men and women who serve this country as peace officers.

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