[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S440-S442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. STEVENS:
  S. 39. A bill to provide a national medal for public safety officers 
who act

[[Page S442]]

with extraordinary valor above the call of duty, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.


                  the public safety medal of valor act

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, we have all been pleased with the recent 
decline in crime in many areas of the country, and today I am 
introducing a bill to acknowledge the great commitment and sacrifice 
public safety officers at every level have made to that decline. From 
responding to traffic accidents, apprehending violent criminals, 
fighting fires, combating domestic terrorism, assisting people during 
natural disasters--not to mention performing the functions many of us 
take for granted--public safety officers are essential to the well-
being and stability of the United States.
  While public safety accomplishments often go unrecognized, the 
selfless service of those who work each day to preserve the peace and 
improve safety in our communities continues. This past year were 
reminded of the tremendous sacrifices of this American mainstay when 
Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson gave their lives defending the 
peace and protecting lives in our nation's Capitol. In fact, since 1988 
over 700 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty, 
another 629 have been killed in duty-related accidents, and over 
600,000 have been assaulted. We owe a tremendous debt to these heroes 
and to their families who have made such a tremendous sacrifice for the 
rest of us.
  In the past ten years we've had earthquakes, flooding, hurricanes, 
vast fires, record cold spells, and numerous other natural disasters. 
Throughout those natural disasters, Americans from around the country 
counted on firemen, emergency medical technicians, emergency services 
personnel, and other public safety personnel from all levels of 
government. The many peaceful moments and days that we enjoy between 
these disasters and tragedies are the product of the vigilance, 
dedication, and hard work of those dedicated to the protection of the 
public.
  In recognition and honor of these great public servants, I am 
introducing the Public Safety Medal of Valor Act. This Act establishes 
the highest national recognition of valor for public safety personnel 
for acts above and beyond the call of duty.
  Under this legislation, an 11-member Medal Review Board selected by 
the Congress and by the President will consider nominations of public 
safety officers and select recipients of the medal. No more than 10 
Public Safety Medal of Valor recipients will be selected in one year. I 
call on all of the members of the Senate and House to join me in 
support of this important measure to at last provide national 
recognition to the heroes in the field of public safety.
                                 ______