[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE INTRODUCTION OF A BILL IN HONOR OF FIVE FBI AGENTS WHO HAVE BEEN 
   KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY WHILE ASSIGNED TO THE WASHINGTON FIELD 
                                 OFFICE

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 1997

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce legislation to designate 
the newly constructed Federal building located at 601 Fourth Street NW. 
in the District of Columbia as the ``Federal Bureau of Investigation, 
Washington Field Office Memorial Building,'' in honor of five FBI 
agents who were killed in the line of duty while assigned to the 
Washington Field Office. The five agents are William H. Christian, Jr., 
Martha Dixon Martinez, Michael J. Miller, Anthony Palmisano, and Edwin 
R. Woodriffe.
  Only 46 FBI agents have been killed in the line of duty since the 
agency was established in 1908. Yet these five agents were all killed 
in a period of 16 years. Moreover, the FBI has had a particularly close 
and useful relationship to crime fighting in the District of Columbia 
and this region. For years, the professionalism and dedication of FBI 
agents and other personnel of the Bureau have been made available to 
the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department. For 
the residents and law enforcement officers of the District, it is our 
honor to dedicate this new headquarters to agents who were so dedicated 
to us and to law enforcement.
  It is most appropriate to dedicate this new building to these five 
dedicated agents. On May 29, 1995, Special Agent William H. Christian, 
Jr., was murdered in his car by Ralph McClean while performing 
surveillance on him. McClean was suspected in a series of unprovoked 
attacks on officers of the Metropolitan Police Department which left 
several officers wounded and one dead.
  On November 22, 1994, Martha Dixon Martinez and Michael J. Miller 
were conducting official business at the homicide office of the 
Metropolitan Police Department headquarters. Without warning, Bennie 
Lawson entered the homicide office, pulled an automatic weapon from his 
coat, and began firing randomly. His shots killed Special Agents 
Martinez and Miller, as well as Metropolitan Police Department 
Detective Henry Daly.
  Agents Anthony Palmisano and Edwin R. Woodriffe were killed 
attempting to arrest a Lorton escapee, Billie Austin Bryant, on January 
8, 1969. The agents had just entered an apartment building in southeast 
Washington when Bryant opened fire on them in a hallway.
  I am introducing this legislation to pay lasting tribute to the 
sacrifice of courageous agents who gave their lives in the line of 
duty. I am particularly pleased that all of the Washington, DC, 
regional members of Congress have become original cosponsors. Our 
legislation will remind all who pass through the new Washington Field 
Office Building of the high price that has been paid for the FBI's work 
in protecting the lives and safety of the residents of the District of 
Columbia.

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