[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             BULLETPROOF VEST PARTNERSHIP GRANT ACT OF 1998

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                               speech of

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 1998

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the House of 
Representatives for passing H.R. 2829, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership 
Grant Act of 1997.
  I have met with law enforcement officials from across my district who 
feel this is an important and useful bill. Currently, 25 percent of our 
nation's state and local law enforcement officials do not have access 
to bulletproof vests. Additionally, police officers not wearing a 
bulletproof vest have a fatality risk 14 times that of officers wearing 
a vest. There is an obvious need to make sure those who risk their 
lives on our behalf have access to these lifesaving devices.
  H.R. 2829 will ensure that for the days to come, no police officer 
will be left unnecessarily exposed in the line of duty. Bulletproof 
vests are one of the most basic forms of law enforcement protection, 
and America now sends a message to its law enforcement officials--we 
will protect you who valiantly protect us every day.




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