[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 56 (Thursday, May 7, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S4550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THANKING OUR NATION'S CORRECTIONS OFFICERS

 Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to thank our 
nation's Corrections Officers for their selfless dedication to 
rehabilitating those members of our society who have strayed from the 
path of the just. I would especially like to recognize the 5,500 
members of the New Jersey State Corrections Officers Association whose 
daily work allows our children to grow in an environment unfettered by 
criminal elements. These courageous men and women risk their lives on a 
daily basis and deserve to be recognized for their efforts on our 
behalf.
  Although Corrections Officers play a critical role in safeguarding 
our communities from convicted felons, they receive very little public 
recognition for their work. When a felon is apprehended the police 
receive the credit for the arrest and the prosecuting attorney is 
praised for proving the felon's guilt. Juries are hailed as courageous 
and the judges imposing sentences are lauded for their commitment to 
justice. Once the trial process is completed and a felon is convicted, 
that person goes to prison and is forgotten by mainstream society. 
However, Corrections Officers are not allowed to forget because they 
deal with convicted felons on a daily basis. From rehabilitating to 
guarding those people who have forfeited their rights to live in our 
communities, Corrections Officers find themselves in high risk 
situations every day.
  In a society that believes in the fundamental importance of law and 
order, it is important to remember the people who help those principles 
flourish. By ensuring that inmates are rehabilitated before re-entering 
our communities, Corrections Officers are disciplinarians and teachers. 
They impose the will of the people while teaching criminals about the 
need to adhere to the law. Clearly, there are formidable obstacles to 
these endeavors, and I am continually impressed by the way these 
officers persevere in spite of the difficulties they encounter. In a 
criminal justice system that places an ever increasing amount of 
pressure on Corrections Officers to be infallible, they maintain a 
consistently positive and professional attitude towards their jobs.
  The men and women who work as Corrections Officers in our nation's 
prisons should be celebrated for their commitment to their communities. 
I am privileged to recognize their efforts and I encourage my 
colleagues to do so as well.

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