[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 26, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S94-S95]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 247--COMMEMORATING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEDICATION 
AND SACRIFICE MADE BY THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES WHILE 
                  SERVING AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Burns, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. 
Coverdell, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Gramm, 
Mr. Biden, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. 
Hagel, Mr. Warner, Mr. Gorton, Mr. Helms, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr. 
Grams, Mr. Ashcroft, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Levin, 
Mrs. Hutchison, and Ms. Collins) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 247

       Commemorating and acknowledging the dedication and 
     sacrifice made by the men and women who have lost their lives 
     while serving as law enforcement officers.
       Whereas the well-being of all citizens of this country is 
     preserved and enhanced as a direct result of the vigilance 
     and dedication of law enforcement personnel;
       Whereas more than 700,000 men and women, at great risk to 
     their personal safety, presently serve their fellow citizens 
     in their capacity as guardians of peace;
       Whereas peace officers are the front line in preserving our 
     children's right to receive an education in a crime-free 
     environment, which is all too often threatened by the 
     insidious fear caused by violence in schools;
       Whereas 134 peace officers lost their lives in the 
     performance of their duty in 1999, and a total of nearly 
     15,000 men and women have now made that supreme sacrifice;
       Whereas every year 1 in 9 officers is assaulted, 1 in 25 
     officers is injured, and 1 in 4,400 officers is killed in the 
     line of duty; and
       Whereas, on May 15, 2000, more than 15,000 peace officers 
     are expected to gather in our Nation's Capital to join with 
     the families of their recently fallen comrades to honor them 
     and all others before them: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes May 15, 2000, as Peace Officers Memorial 
     Day, in honor of Federal, State, and local officers killed or 
     disabled in the line of duty; and
       (2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     this day with appropriate ceremonies and respect.

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am joined by 28 of my colleagues 
in submitting this resolution to keep alive in the memory of all 
Americans, the sacrifice and commitment of those men and women who lost 
their lives while serving as law enforcement officers. Specifically, 
this resolution would designate May 15, 2000, as National Peace 
Officers Memorial Day.
  As a former deputy sheriff, I know first-hand the risks which law 
enforcement officers face everyday on the front lines protecting our 
communities. Currently, more than 700,000 men and women who serve this 
nation as our guardians of law and order do so at a great risk. Every 
year, about 1 in 9 officers is assaulted, 1 in 25 officers is injured, 
and 1 in 4,400 officers is killed in the line of duty. There are few 
communities in this country that have not been impacted by the 
senseless death of a police officer.
  In 1999, approximately 135 federal, state and local law enforcement 
officers have given their lives in the line of duty and nearly 15,000 
men and women have made that supreme sacrifice during the past century. 
We can be heartened by knowing that fewer police officers died in 1999 
than in any year since 1965.
  According to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Chairman 
Craig W. Floyd, ``a combination of factors appears to be making life 
safer for our officers including better training, improved equipment, 
the increased use of bullet-resistant vests, and the overall drop of 
crime.''
  On May 15, 2000, more than 15,000 peace officers are expected to 
gather in our Nation's Capital to join with the families of their 
fallen comrades, past and present, who by their faithful and loyal 
devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to 
their communities and, in doing so, have established for themselves an 
enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security 
of all citizens.
  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this 
important resolution.
  I ask unanimous consent that letters of support be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                              Police Executive Research Forum,

                                 Washington, DC, January 24, 2000.
     Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Campbell: I am writing on behalf of the 
     members of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) in 
     support of your efforts to secure Congressional designation 
     of May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day. PERF, an 
     association of police executives primarily from the larger 
     police agencies in the United States, believes that this is a 
     fitting and appropriate tribute that honors not only those 
     officers for their sacrifice, but their brave families, the 
     law enforcement agencies they represented, and the grieving 
     communities for whom they died serving. As we all work to 
     improve American policing and the criminal justice system, it 
     is important to remember the individual American police 
     officers who have for nearly two centuries served our 
     communities and all too often made the ultimate sacrifice.
       Thank you for your efforts and the efforts of your 
     colleagues in introducing this measure to honor America's law 
     enforcement officers.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Chuck Wexler,
     Executive Director.
                                  ____

                                         International Brotherhood


                                           of Police Officers,

                                 Alexandria, VA, January 20, 2000.
     Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Campbell: The International Brotherhood of 
     Police Officers (IBPO) is an affiliate of the Service 
     Employees International Union. The IBPO is the largest police 
     union in the AFL-CIO.
       On behalf of the over 50,000 members of the IBPO, I wish to 
     thank you for introducing legislation to designate May 15, 
     2000 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. This 
     legislation is a tribute to the more than 700,000 men and 
     women who protect our citizens.
       Your legislation serves as a solemn reminder of the 
     sacrifice and commitment to safety that peace officers make 
     on our behalf. In 1999 over 130 peace officers lost their 
     lives while in the performance of their job.
       As a former law enforcement official, you know firsthand 
     the dangers these peace officers face. Your legislation not 
     only honors the peace officers fallen in the line of duty but 
     to their surviving families.
       Once again, thank you for all your help honoring America's 
     peace officers.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Kenneth T. Lyons,
     National President.
                                  ____

                                           National Association of


                                   Police Organizations, Inc.,

                                 Washington, DC, January 21, 2000.
     Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washinton, DC.
       Dear Senator Campbell: On behalf of the National 
     Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), representing 
     4,000 unions and associations and 250,000 sworn law 
     enforcement officers, I want to express our wholehearted 
     support for a Senate Resolution to recognize the brave men 
     and women of law enforcement, who have paid the ultimate 
     sacrifice.
       Every year, for one week during the month of May, the law 
     enforcement community pays tribute and honors the fallen 
     heroes who have died in the line of duty at the National Law 
     Enforcement Officers Memorial. Serving on the Board of 
     Directors at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial 
     Fund and as a former Detroit Police officer for twenty-five 
     years, I truly appreciate a day for all Americans to 
     recognize and commemorate, with surviving family members, 
     those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
       Every day law enforcement officers put their lives on the 
     line to serve and protect our communities. Over the past few 
     years, we have experienced a steady decrease in violent crime 
     throughout our neighborhoods and cities. However, this does 
     not come at a small price. In 1999, approximately 135 of our 
     Nation's finest lost their lives protecting the citizens of 
     this country. We need to honor and remember these outstanding 
     men and woman every year.
       Thank you for your dedication in advancing the interests of 
     the law enforcement community. I look forward to working with 
     you in the 106th Congress. Please let me

[[Page S95]]

     know if I can be of any assistance in the future.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Robert T. Scully,
     Executive Director.

                          ____________________