[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 13, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H1879-H1881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER MEDAL OF VALOR ACT OF 1999

  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 46) to provide for a national medal for public safety 
officers who act with extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of 
duty.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 46

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Public Safety Officer Medal 
     of Valor Act of 1999''.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF MEDAL.

       The President may award, and present in the name of 
     Congress, a Medal of Valor of appropriate design, with 
     ribbons and appurtenances, to a public safety officer who is 
     cited by the Attorney General, on the advice of the Medal of 
     Valor Review Board, for extraordinary valor above and beyond 
     the call of duty.

     SEC. 3. BOARD.

       (a) Board.--There is established a permanent Medal of Valor 
     Review Board (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the 
     ``Board''). The Board shall--
       (1) be composed of 11 members appointed in accordance with 
     subsection (b); and
       (2) conduct its business in accordance with this Act.
       (b) Membership.--
       (1) In general.--The members of the Board shall be 
     appointed as follows:
       (A) Two shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (B) Two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the 
     House of Representatives.
       (C) Two shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of the 
     Senate.
       (D) Two shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the 
     Senate.
       (E) Three shall be appointed by the President, one of whom 
     shall have substantial experience in firefighting, one of 
     whom shall have substantial experience in law enforcement, 
     and one of whom shall have substantial experience in 
     emergency services.
       (2) Persons eligible.--The members of the Board shall be 
     individuals who have knowledge or expertise, whether by 
     experience or training, in the field of public safety.
       (3) Term.--The term of a Board member is 4 years.
       (4) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the membership of the Board 
     shall not affect the powers of the Board and shall be filled 
     in the same manner as the original appointment.
       (5) Operation of the board.--
       (A) Meetings.--The Board shall meet at the call of the 
     Chairman and not less than twice each year. The initial 
     meeting of the Board shall be conducted not later than 
     30 days after the appointment of the last member of the 
     Board.
       (B) Quorum; voting; rules.--A majority of the members of 
     the Board shall constitute a quorum to conduct business, but 
     the Board may establish a lesser quorum for conducting 
     hearings scheduled by the Board. The Board may establish by 
     majority vote any other rules for the conduct of the Board's 
     business, if such rules are not inconsistent with this Act or 
     other applicable law.
       (c) Duties.--The Board shall select candidates as 
     recipients of the Medal of Valor from among those 
     applications received by the National Medal Office. Not more 
     often than once each year, the Board shall present to the 
     Attorney General the name or names of those it recommends as 
     Medal of Valor recipients. In a given year, the Board is not 
     required to choose any names, but is limited to a maximum 
     number of 6 recipients. The Board shall set an annual 
     timetable for fulfilling its duties under this Act.
       (d) Hearings.--
       (1) In general.--The Board may hold such hearings, sit and 
     act at such times and

[[Page H1880]]

     places, administer such oaths, take such testimony, and 
     receive such evidence as the Board considers advisable to 
     carry out its duties.
       (2) Witness expenses.--Witnesses requested to appear before 
     the Board may be paid the same fees as are paid to witnesses 
     under section 1821 of title 28, United States Code. The per 
     diem and mileage allowances for witnesses shall be paid from 
     funds appropriated to the Board.
       (e) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Board may 
     secure directly from any Federal department or agency such 
     information as the Board considers necessary to carry out its 
     duties. Upon the request of the Board, the head of such 
     department or agency may furnish such information to the 
     Board.
       (f) Information To Be Kept Confidential.--The Board shall 
     not disclose any information which may compromise an ongoing 
     law enforcement investigation or is otherwise required by law 
     to be kept confidential.

     SEC. 4. BOARD PERSONNEL MATTERS.

       (a) Compensation of Members.--(1) Except as provided in 
     paragraph (2), each member of the Board shall be compensated 
     at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of 
     basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule 
     under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each 
     day (including travel time) during which such member is 
     engaged in the performance of the duties of the Board.
       (2) All members of the Board who serve as officers or 
     employees of the United States, a State, or a local 
     government, shall serve without compensation in addition to 
     that received for those services.
       (b) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Board shall be 
     allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
     under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
     Code, while away from their homes or regular places of 
     business in the performance of service for the Board.

     SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.

       For the purposes of this Act:
       (1) Public safety officer.--The term ``Public Safety 
     Officer'' has the same meaning given that term in section 
     1204 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 
     1968.
       (2) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several 
     States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
     Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, 
     American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
     Islands.

     SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney 
     General such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.

     SEC. 7. OFFICE.

       There is established within the Department of Justice a 
     national medal office. The office shall staff the Medal of 
     Valor Review Board and establish criteria and procedures for 
     the submission of recommendations of nominees for the Medal 
     of Valor.

     SEC. 8. CONFORMING REPEAL.

       Section 15 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act 
     of 1974 is repealed.

     SEC. 9. CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.

       The Attorney General shall consult with the Institute of 
     Heraldry within the Department of Defense regarding the 
     design and artistry of the Medal of Valor. The Attorney 
     General shall also consider suggestions received by the 
     Department of Justice regarding the design of the medal, 
     including those made by persons not employed by the 
     Department.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. McCollum) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. McCollum).


                             General Leave

  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H.R. 46.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 46 is called the Public Safety Officer Medal Act of 
Valor. It creates a national medal for public safety officers who 
exhibit extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty. While 
law enforcement agencies at all levels present their own award and 
medals to those who demonstrate bravery, the United States Government 
has no medal in recognition of acts of courage and valor committed by 
public safety officers. This legislation is an attempt to rectify the 
failure of the United States to award a prestigious medal for public 
safety officer heroism.
  Every now and then, a police officer or a fire fighter confronts a 
critical choice that could make the difference between life and death. 
Such moments are not about duty, they are about acting beyond what duty 
requires. They are about taking major risks of serious injury or even 
loss of life for the sole reason of saving another person's life. When 
our men and women in blue make this heroic choice, they distinguish 
themselves from the vast majority of the public who will probably never 
be tested in this way. A national medal is the least we can do to 
express our appreciation for such devotion.
  Mr. Speaker, legislation identical to H.R. 46 passed the House by 
voice vote in the last Congress, but unfortunately, the Senate failed 
to act before adjournment. I am hopeful that the Senate will see its 
way clear to pass this act before National Police Week in May. What 
better way to express our thanks to our men and women in blue than to 
pass this legislation creating a national medal, given by the 
President, in the name of the Congress, honoring extraordinary acts of 
valor?
  I might add, of course, and I said this earlier, this not only would 
apply to police officers but also fire fighters.
  Significantly, this award is not limited only to State and local 
police officers. Federal agents could certainly be nominated for a 
medal. State and local fire fighters and emergency personnel will also 
be eligible. Thus, the bill will encompass all public safety officers 
at all levels of government.
  The selection process established by H.R. 46 is simple and 
inexpensive. The bill creates a permanent Medal of Valor Review Board, 
comprised of 11 members serving 4-year terms, who shall review and 
select recipients of the award each year. The board members must be 
individuals who have knowledge or expertise in the field of public 
safety. The board is not required to chose any names in a given year 
but may select up to six recipients annually.
  The legislation also establishes a National Medal Office within the 
Department of Justice, which will establish criteria and procedures for 
the submission of names of nominees from the law enforcement community 
and the public. The National Medal Office will staff the Medal of Honor 
Review Board.
  The Congressional Budget Office has reviewed H.R. 46 and estimates 
that full implementation of the legislation would cost only about 
$250,000 annually. I believe this is a very small price for the Federal 
Government to pay to express its gratitude for our Nation's most heroic 
public safety officers and to set the example nationally that we need 
to set to encourage those who perform such acts.
  I also want to note that this legislation will not displace the Medal 
of Honor as our country's most significant award. America's entire 
system of medals and awards, which has become known as the Pyramid of 
Honor, was established by an act of Congress in 1918. That act was 
passed to protect the integrity of the national Medal of Honor, but it 
had the far-reaching effect of establishing degrees of distinguished 
service and clearly delineating the type of deed necessary for the 
awarding of a medal.
  H.R. 46 is patterned after the Medal of Honor, but it will not 
disrupt its place at the top of the pyramid.
  Finally, H.R. 46 requires the Attorney General to consult with the 
Institute of Heraldry, an office housed within the Department of 
Defense which designs and creates medals and ribbons. The staff at the 
Institute of Heraldry puts great thought into every aspect of a medal, 
and every color and detail is significant. To avoid overlapping with a 
previously established medal, the Attorney General is required to 
consult with the Institute.
  Mr. Speaker, we can never fully know what inspires a person to commit 
an act of bravery, even to risk his or her own life to save the life of 
a stranger. Congress must, however, find significant and positive ways 
to express our thanks and to encourage such acts. I believe that 
creation of this medal is one way to recognize the frequent and too 
often unsung acts of valor committed by public safety officers.
  This legislation is supported by nearly every national law 
enforcement association, including the Fraternal Order of Police, the 
National Association of Police Organizations, the International 
Brotherhood of Police Officers, the National Troopers Coalition, and 
the Law Enforcement Alliance of America.

[[Page H1881]]

  I want to thank the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Crime, the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), for his support in this 
legislation and his cooperation in quickly moving the bill to the 
floor. I look forward to working with my friend from Virginia this 
Congress to find common ground in the battle against crime.
  I also want to thank Nicole Nason on the subcommittee staff for her 
hard work on this bill. Nicole is leaving the subcommittee, and we will 
certainly miss her service. We wish to thank her for everything she has 
done in the past and wish her the best in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague from Florida (Mr. 
McCollum) in support of H.R. 46. This bill would establish a Public 
Safety Officer Medal of Valor to be awarded periodically to a selected 
public safety officer for extraordinary valor above and beyond the call 
of duty. It provides for the Department of Justice to solicit, review, 
and screen nominations from the law enforcement community for the 
award. Final decisions on the award would be made by a board appointed 
by the President and congressional leadership from both parties.
  I am a cosponsor of the bill, along with the gentleman from Michigan 
(Mr. Conyers) and other members of the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill passed the Committee on the Judiciary by a 
unanimous vote. It will not only allow members of the law enforcement 
community to recognize extraordinary heroism within that profession, 
but will establish a mechanism for calling that extraordinary valor to 
the attention of the world.
  I urge Members to vote for the bill.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on this 
important legislation to provide for a national medal for public safety 
officers who act with extraordinary courage. By passing this 
legislation, we continue the tradition of honoring those who exhibit 
great courage and bravery in the line of duty.
  I am a proud co-sponsor of this legislation to honor our nation's 
public safety officers--police officers, firefighters and emergency 
medical personnel. Each year, the President would award this medal to a 
worthy public safety officer.
  Already in our small towns, counties and cities, local heroes are 
honored for their acts of bravery. For example in Texas, we honor peace 
officers and public servants who are injured in the line of duty 
through the Fleetwood Memorial Foundation.
  Here in Congress, we honor the extraordinary heroism and bravery of 
our citizens through the Congressional Medal of Honor. Members of the 
armed services are honored with the prestigious Purple Heart and 
Prisoner of War Medal.
  It is important to recognize the public servants of our communities 
because so often their work is overlooked. We witness the acts of 
heroism performed by our police officers, firefighters and emergency 
medical personnel every day.
  These Officers make a choice to serve their communities. While 
feelings toward Law Enforcement vary with each individual, all citizens 
must realize that the role of a peace officer is an important and 
necessary one.
  By supporting this bill, we salute the choices and sacrifices made by 
peace officers. This legislation will positively influence the way we 
view law enforcement and it will remind us of the everyday heroic acts 
that take place in our communities.
  Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. McCollum) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 46.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________