[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S717-S718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 22--NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY RESOLUTION

  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Allard, Mr. 
Biden, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Burns, Mr. Cleland, 
Mr. Coverdell, Mr. Craig, Mr. Daschle, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Dodd, Mr. 
Domenici, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Enzi, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. 
Fitzgerald, Mr. Frist, Mr. Gorton, Mr. Gramm, Mr. Grams, Mr. Hagel, Mr. 
Hatch, Mr. Helms, Mr. Hollings, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, 
Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerrey, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. 
Lott, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Mack, Mr. McCain, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. 
Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Reid, Mr. Robb, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Roth, 
Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Smith of New 
Hampshire, Mr. Specter, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. Torricelli, Mr. 
Warner, Mr. Wellstone, and Mr. Crapo) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 22

       Whereas the well-being of all citizens of this country is 
     preserved and enhanced as a direct result of the vigilance 
     and dedication of law enforcement personnel;
       Whereas more than 700,000 men and women, at great risk to 
     their personal safety, presently serve their fellow citizens 
     in their capacity as guardians of peace;
       Whereas peace officers are the front line in preserving our 
     childrens' right to receive an education in a crime-free 
     environment that is all too often threatened by the insidious 
     fear caused by violence in schools;
       Whereas 158 peace officers lost their lives in the 
     performance of their duty in 1998, and a total of nearly 
     15,000 men and women have now made that supreme sacrifice;
       Whereas every year 1 in 9 officers is assaulted, 1 in 25 
     officers is injured, and 1 in 4,400 officers is killed in the 
     line of duty; and
       Whereas, on May 15, 1999, more than 15,000 peace officers 
     are expected to gather in our Nation's Capital to join with 
     the families of their recently fallen comrades to honor them 
     and all others before them: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes May 15, 1999, Peace Officers Memorial Day, 
     in honor of Federal, State, and local officers killed or 
     disabled in the line of duty; and
       (2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     this day with the appropriate ceremonies and respect.

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am joined with my colleagues in 
submitting this resolution to keep alive in the memory of all 
Americans, the sacrifice and commitment of those

[[Page S718]]

men and women who lost their lives while serving as law enforcement 
officers. Specifically, this resolution would designate May 15, 1999, 
as National Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  Currently, more than 700,000 men and women who serve this nation as 
our guardians of law and order do so at a great risk. Every year, about 
1 in 9 officers is assaulted, 1 in 25 officers is injured, and 1 in 
4,400 officers is killed in the line of duty. There are few communities 
in this country that have not been impacted by the senseless death of a 
police officer.
  In 1998, over 158 federal, state and local law enforcement officers 
have given their lives in the line of duty and nearly 15,000 men and 
women have made that supreme sacrifice. And, our Capitol community as 
well as the nation were shocked and saddened last year by the tragic 
and senseless shooting of Capitol Police Officer Jacob Chestnut and 
Special Agent John Gibson.
  According to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Chairman 
Craig W. Floyd,

       Since crime began its steady downward slide in 1992, more 
     than 1,100 federal, state and local law enforcement officers 
     have lost their lives in the performance of duty. That 
     averages out to 158 police deaths each year, or one officer 
     killed somewhere in America roughly every 54 hours.

  As a former deputy sheriff, I know first-hand the risks which law 
enforcement officers face every day on the front lines protecting our 
communities. Last year for example, in Cortez, Colorado, police officer 
Dale Claxton was fatally shot through the windshield of his patrol car 
after stopping a stolen truck. Officer Claxton was tragically and 
prematurely taken away from his wife and four children. Today, two of 
the three suspects are still at large, even after an extensive manhunt.
  On May 15, 1999, more than 15,000 peace officers are expected to 
gather in our Nation's Capital to join with the families of their 
fallen comrades, past and present, who by their faithful and loyal 
devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to 
their communities and, in doing so, have established for themselves an 
enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security 
of all citizens.
  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this 
important resolution.
  I ask unanimous consent that letters of support be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                         International Brotherhood


                                           of Police Officers,

                                  Alexandria, VA, January 5, 1999.
     Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Campbell: The International Brotherhood of 
     Police Officers (IBPO) is an affiliate of the Service 
     Employees International Union. The IBPO is the largest police 
     union in the AFL-CIO.
       On behalf of the over 50,000 members of the IBPO, including 
     IBPO Local 516, Fountain, Colorado I want to thank you for 
     introducing a Joint Resolution to designate May 15, 1999, as 
     National Peace Officers Memorial Day.
       Each year, more than 10,000 police officers, survivors and 
     supporters attend the activities revolving around Peace 
     Officers Memorial Day Washington, DC. Officers develop close 
     bonds with their colleagues from across the country. 
     Survivors gain strength from others who have experienced and 
     understand their grief.
       The entire membership of the IBPO looks forward to working 
     with you on this important matter.
       Once again, thank you for your continued support of law 
     enforcement community.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Kenneth T. Lyons,
     National President.
                                  ____

                                           Federal Law Enforcement


                                         Officers Association,

                              East Northport, NY, January 8, 1999.
     Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell,
     U.S. Senator,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Campbell: On behalf of the over 15,000 members 
     of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), 
     I wish to express our strong support for the resolution you 
     intend to introduce to the 106th Congress regarding National 
     Peace Officers Memorial Day. FLEOA is proud to stand with you 
     on this legislation.
       FLEOA is a non-partisan professional association 
     representing federal agents from the agencies listed on the 
     left masthead. We have local chapters all across the United 
     States and several overseas. Each year, on May 15, all across 
     America, federal agents stand with their law enforcement 
     officer brethren and remember those from our ranks who gave 
     their lives in the line of duty. FLEOA has been on the 
     Executive Board of the National Law Enforcement Officers 
     Memorial, located in Washington, DC, since its inception. As 
     inscribed on the Memorial Wall, next to the names of the 
     heros and heroines, are these words: ``It is not how these 
     officers died that made them heroes; it is how they lived.'' 
     Your resolution will make sure their sacrifice, once again, 
     will be observed all across our great nation.
       FLEOA is calling for all of our elected officials to 
     cosponsor your resolution. We look forward to working on this 
     and other issues with you and your staff. Thank you for all 
     your efforts for law enforcement.
     Richard J. Gallo.
                                  ____

                                              National Association


                                of Police Organizations, Inc.,

                                 Washington, DC, January 13, 1999.
     Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Campbell. Let me first take this opportunity 
     to congratulate you on your successful reelection to the 
     United States Senate. Thank you for your hard work and 
     consistent commitment to the law enforcement community.
       On behalf of the National Association of Police 
     Organizations (NAPO), representing more than 4,000 unions and 
     associations and over 220,000 sworn law enforcement officers, 
     I want to express our wholehearted support for a Joint 
     Resolution to designate May 15, 1999, as National Peace 
     Officers' Memorial Day.
       Every year, for one week during the month of May, the law 
     enforcement community pays tribute and honors the fallen 
     heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice at the National 
     Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Serving on the Board of 
     Directors at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial 
     Fund and as a former Detroit police officer for twenty-five 
     years, I truly appreciate a day for all Americans to 
     recognize and commemorate with surviving family members, 
     those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
       Every day law enforcement officers put their lives on the 
     line to serve and protect our communities. Over the past few 
     years, we have experienced a steady decrease in violent crime 
     rates throughout our neighborhoods and cities. However, this 
     does not come at a small price. In 1998, 155 of our Nation's 
     finest lost their lives protecting the citizens of this 
     county. We need to honor and remember these outstanding men 
     and women every year.
       Thank you for your dedication in advancing the interests of 
     the law enforcement community. I look forward to working with 
     you in the 106th Congress. Please let me know if I can be of 
     any assistance in the future.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Robert T. Scully,
     Executive Director.

                          ____________________