[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E73]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  LEGISLATION TO RAISE THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR U.S. CAPITOL 
                     POLICE OFFICERS FROM 57 TO 60

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 19, 1999

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, on January 6, 1999 I introduced 
legislation to change the mandatory retirement age for U.S. Capitol 
Police Officers from 57 to 60. It is identical to legislation I 
introduced in the last Congress, and I urge all of my colleagues to 
support this important bill.
  As every Member of Congress knows, the Capitol Police is one of the 
most professional and dedicated law enforcement agencies in the 
country. They perform a vital and important function. The force is 
blessed to have a large number of experienced and highly competent 
officers. Unfortunately, every year dozens of officers are forced to 
leave the force because of the mandatory retirement rule. Many of these 
officers are in excellent physical condition. Most important, they 
possess a wealth of experience and savvy that is difficult, if not 
impossible, to replace.
  Raising the mandatory retirement age from 57 to 60 will provide the 
Capitol Police with the flexibility necessary to retain experienced, 
highly competent and dedicated officers. It will enhance and improve 
security by ensuring that the force experiences a slower rate of 
turnover.
  I introduce this legislation at a time when the Capitol Police is 
struggling to increase the size of its force in the face of an 
increased workload. For example, I have spoken to a number of officers 
who are routinely working up to 56 hours of overtime a month. Plans by 
the Capitol Police Board to hire an additional 260 officers will not 
fully alleviate this serious problem. Raising the retirement age will 
certainly help to reduce the workload of the force.
  Should this legislation become law, Capitol Police officers between 
the ages of 57 and 60 would still have to meet the standard 
requirements to remain on the force, including proficiency on the 
shooting range.
  This legislation is a commonsense measure that will go a long way in 
improving and enhancing what is already one of the finest law 
enforcement agencies in the world. Once again, I urge my colleagues to 
support this bill.

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