[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.
____________________