[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING AND RECOGNIZING SLAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 1999

  Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 165, and 
to recognize and honor Sergeant Richard Asten, a fourteen year veteran 
of the Kansas City, Kansas, police department, who on June 11, 1998, 
was struck down in the line of duty.
  On that fateful morning, just after 8 a.m., Sergeant Asten was 
filling in for a colleague who had taken sick when he was called to 
help stop a stolen vehicle. When Sergeant Asten placed a stop stick in 
the path of the vehicle, according to eyewitness accounts, the driver 
intentionally swerved to run him over. Sergeant Asten left behind his 
family: his wife, Margie Asten; and their three children, Lief Ray, 
Theresa Ray, and Scott Ray, who currently is serving our country in the 
U.S. Marine Corps.
  Mr. Speaker, supporting this resolution affirms the invaluable 
service provided to our communities by police officers and their 
families. Sergeant Asten and his fellow peace officers form the thin 
blue line that stands between us and those would do us harm. Passage of 
H. Res. 165 is the least we can do to honor and recognize police 
officers and families who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we 
may enjoy freedom, safety and security.

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