[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 10, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H1139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER JAMES H. CAMP

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I solemnly rise today in tribute to a Chicago 
police officer who has fallen victim to the senseless violence that is 
suffocating far too many of our Nation's neighborhoods. Just today we 
are now mourning the death of Officer James H. Camp, a 35 year old gang 
tactical officer who was gunned down during a routine traffic stop made 
across the street from the Albert Einstein Elementary School located in 
my district.
  When Officer Camp approached the vehicle and ordered the driver out, 
the driver refused. As Officer Camp began to remove the driver from 
this vehicle, a struggle ensued. The driver grabbed Officer Camp's gun 
and fatally shot him in his face. Just like that Officer Camp lost his 
life and became the second Chicago police officer to die in the line of 
duty this year.
  Mr. Speaker, many of his colleagues described him as a young, 
aggressive, effective police officer whose focus and whose hard work 
produced many good arrests. Others of his colleagues, his fellow 
officers, say that he was a polite man who was friendly, he was well 
liked and he was dependable. These are all wonderful descriptions of 
this man who committed his life and who contributed quality to his 
service to the citizens of Chicago.
  Today I would like to also add another personal characteristic to 
this list describing Officer Camp. Officer James Camp was heroic. Every 
day for the last 4 and-a-half years he bravely and unselfishly served 
the citizens of Chicago. Yesterday his efforts cleared the way for the 
children of Einstein Elementary School so that they could walk home in 
peace. His efforts brought that neighborhood closer to a community that 
is free of drug activity. His efforts made the first congressional 
district of Illinois specifically and the City of Chicago in general a 
much better and a much safer place to live.
  It is very important for us, Mr. Speaker, to remember at this time 
that Officer James Camp's service and dedication is duplicated a 
thousand times by brave members of the Chicago Police Department. Their 
bravery, which is exhibited day and night, should never ever be taken 
for granted. They literally risk everything that they have, including 
their lives, for our protection.
  In closing I would like to reiterate that Officer James Camp in his 
short life of 35 years made quite a difference to the city, to our 
Nation. Indeed the Nation should thank Officer Camp for his service, 
for his commitment and for his dedication, and we as a Nation should 
extend to his widow of just three months our continued prayers for 
God's strength and God's grace during her time of bereavement.

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