[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 62 (Friday, May 15, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4931-S4932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PASSAGE OF S. 1605, H.R. 3565, AND S. 1525

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, this week we have been commemorating Peace 
Officer's Memorial Week, in honor of those law enforcement and public 
safety officers who have died in the line of duty. As we remember those 
who have fallen in defense of the public safety, it is highly fitting 
that the Senate consider legislation to help save police officers' 
lives, and also to do all we can to comfort and assist the families and 
loved ones they have left behind. Thus, I am gratified by the Senate's 
action today in passing three bills to accomplish these goals.
  The first of these bills is S. 1605, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership 
Grant Act. This bill establishes a matching program to help States, 
units of local government, and Indian tribes to purchase armor vests 
for use by law enforcement officers. The lives of our law enforcement 
officers will be secured by ensuring that every police officer who 
needs a bulletproof vest receives one, providing an increased measure 
of protection to those who protect the public.
  The FBI estimates that nearly one third of the 1,182 law enforcement 
officers killed by a firearm in the line of duty since 1980 would be 
alive if they had worn a bulletproof vest. The FBI also approximates 
that the risk of fatality to law enforcement officers while not wearing 
an armor vest is 14 times higher than for officers wearing an armor 
vest. In addition, the Department of Justice estimates that nearly 
150,000 State, local, and tribal law enforcement officers, roughly 25 
percent, are not currently issued body armor. This piece of legislation 
will save officers' lives by helping get vests to those who need them.
  The second of these bills is the Care for Police Survivors Act of 
1998, H.R. 3565. I was proud to introduce the Senate companion to this 
bill, S. 1985. This bill will strengthen programs available to the 
families of our slain police officers. For example, groups such as 
Concerns for Police Officers, more commonly referred to as COPS, will 
now be allowed to increase and improve their services to these 
families. Authority will be given to the Director of the Bureau of 
Justice Assistance to spend no less than $150,000 out of the Public 
Safety Officers' Benefits program to support and enrich national peer 
support and counseling programs for families of police officers lost in 
the line of duty.
  This act will also expedite the process of handling cases pending 
before the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Office by allowing the 
expenditure of PSOB program funds on outside hearing officers. 
Currently, survivors of fallen police officers have to wait entirely 
too long to obtain an appeal hearing for denial of benefits. By 
enacting this bill, we will make the process of helping these families 
less burdensome.
  Finally, S. 1525, the Public Safety Officers Educational Assistance 
Act of 1998, will provide aid to the families of those federal law 
enforcement officers who are killed or totally disabled in the line of 
duty. By amending the Federal Law Enforcement Dependents Assistance 
Act, also known as the Degan Law, approximately $4,500 per year in 
college assistance will be awarded to participants--the children and 
spouses of these great officers. Under S. 1525, the current program 
will be expanded to cover state and local public safety officers as 
well. I am a proud supporter of this program that will both promote and 
fund education for the small number of families of those who have given 
their lives or health while protecting our communities.

[[Page S4932]]

  The Department of Justice estimates that approximately 55 persons 
would take advantage of this amendment at an additional cost of 
$330,000 per year. Neither the existing scholarship program nor the 
expansion are an entitlement, and the cost of the scholarships can be 
covered under the appropriation for the existing Public Safety Officers 
benefit program. What an incredible service this will provide.
  Mr. President, I am pleased that the Senate has chosen Police 
Officers Memorial Day to pass these three bills. I believe that by 
passing this legislation, we can acknowledge a small measure of our 
tremendous gratitude and support for these heroes and their families. I 
thank my colleagues for their support of these bills.

                          ____________________