[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 13, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page H2548]]



    AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS' 
                            MEMORIAL SERVICE

  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 66) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the 16th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial 
Service.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 66

       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 sixteenth 
     annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, on the 
     Capitol grounds on May 15, 1997, 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 more than 117 law enforcement officers who died in 
     the line of duty during 1996.

     SEC. 2. TERMS OF 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 
California [Mr. Kim] and the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim].
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 66 authorizes the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the 16th annual Peace Officers' Memorial Service on 
May 15, 1997. The service will honor over 117 Federal, State, and local 
law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 1996.
  The National Fraternal Order of Police will sponsor the event and 
agree to make all the necessary arrangements with the Architect of the 
Capitol and the Capitol Police Board. In addition, the sponsor will 
assume all expenses and all liability in connection with the event. The 
event will be free of charge and open to the public.
  This is a fitting tribute to the men and women who gave their lives 
for our lives. I support this measure, and I urge my colleagues to 
support this resolution.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I want to join with the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim] in 
supporting H. Con. Res. 66. Sadly, this event has become a tradition 
during which families, friends, and fellow officers gather to honor the 
lives and sacrifices of peace officers who die in the line of duty. On 
average, Mr. Speaker, one law enforcement officer is killed somewhere 
in the United States nearly every other day.
  In 1981, when I was sheriff of Mahoning County, OH, one of my 
deputies, John ``Sonny'' Litch, was killed in the line of duty. Sonny 
was then transporting a prisoner to the hospital. His name is on the 
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC.
  No one gave more for our community than the Litch family, and to find 
Sonny in a position without compensation, Mr. Speaker, was a marvel in 
itself.
  During 1996, seven law enforcement officers from the State of Ohio 
were killed in the line of duty. I want to place their names in this 
Record.
  James Gross, Ohio State Highway Patrol; Brian Roshong, Canton Police 
Department; Jason Grossnickle, Dayton Police Department; Douglas 
Springer, Coldwater Police Department; Derrik Lanier, Cuyahoga Metro 
Housing Authority Police; Duane Guhl, Fulton County Sheriff's Office; 
Hilary Cudnik, Cleveland Police Department.
  The names of these officers, Mr. Speaker, will all be engraved on the 
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. It is 
most fitting and commendable that we honor the service of these great 
patriots who have given so much for our country and our communities.
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support House Concurrent 
Resolution 66, authorizing the use of the U.S. Capitol Grounds for the 
16th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Day services on Thursday, 
May 15.
  In memory of the law officers who have given their last full measure 
of devotion to their communities and their country in service of public 
safety, and in tribute to their families and their colleagues, the 
flags atop the U.S. Capitol will be flown at half-staff on National 
Peace Officers' Memorial Day. I would like to recognize Speaker Newt 
Gingrich for his leadership in helping us make this tribute possible.
  I also thank Chairman Jay Kim and Ranking Member James Traficant, of 
the House Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Infrastructure, for 
their timely and expeditious work in support of our peace officers' use 
of the Capitol Grounds.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Kim] that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 66.
  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.

                          ____________________