[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 69 (Thursday, May 13, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S5316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today to honor those police 
officers who devotedly and selflessly work to protect and serve the 
public on a daily basis. I also pay special tribute to those men and 
women who have given their lives in the line of duty.
  According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation data, 138 law 
enforcement officers lost their lives while protecting our communities 
across America in 1998. Of this total, 61 law enforcement officers were 
slain in the line of duty. Our Capitol community was tragically 
affected last July when Capitol Police Officer Jacob Chestnut and 
Special Agent John Gibson were mortally wounded while they upheld their 
sworn duty to protect visitors, staff and Members of Congress.
  All Americans should keep alive the memory of these two brave and 
heroic men, and recognize the contributions of the countless other law 
enforcement officers who have either been slain or disabled while 
performing their duties. For these reasons I am a proud cosponsor of S. 
Res. 22, which designates May 15, 1999, as ``National Peace Officers 
Memorial Day.''
  Mr. President, during this week of poignant ceremonies, Minnesota 
remembers Corporal Timothy Bowe of the Minnesota State Patrol who was 
murdered while assisting the Chisago County Sheriff Department on June 
7, 1997. Last year, Corporal Bowe's name was added to the National Law 
Enforcement Officers Memorial. Corporal Bowe was a devoted husband, 
father, trooper, and friend. More importantly, Corporal Timothy Bowe 
was a true Minnesota hero. This week, Corporal Bowe's name will be 
joined on the memorial by 155 other law enforcement officers who were 
killed in the line of duty.
  Sadly, in our society today, unless we are personally affected by 
violence or disorder, we often do not realize the dedication of our law 
enforcement officers, and the sacrifices they make to keep our 
communities safe. ``National Police Week'' is an important time for all 
Americans to recognize the role law enforcement officers play in 
safeguarding the rights and freedoms we all enjoy daily and give thanks 
for their countless hours of service.
  Mr. President, we owe a debt of gratitude not only to the slain 
officers who served their communities so courageously by preserving law 
and order, but also to their families, who have lost a spouse, parent 
or child. Our law enforcement officers are heroes and we must never 
forget their contributions and sacrifices--during ``National Police 
Week,'' they are well remembered.

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