[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.
____________________