[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 11 (Wednesday, February 9, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNITION OF SEATTLE'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, as many of my colleagues know, I had the 
pleasure--or displeasure--of being in Seattle during the now infamous 
World Trade Organization meeting last fall, shortly after Congress 
adjourned for the year. The images broadcast via the airwaves portrayed 
a negative image of Seattle and a narrow view of the debate in this 
country surrounding free trade. The spectacle of the ``Battle in 
Seattle'' that most of us saw on the evening news also did not 
accurately represent the full experience that law enforcement officers 
on the street endured. These officers suffered through appalling work 
conditions largely attributable to poor planning by public officials 
responsible for such preparation. In spite of these conditions, the 
incidents of confrontation and violence were kept to a surprising 
minimum. These fine men and women in law enforcement deserve 
recognition for their vigilance, their restraint, and their dedication.
  Officers, wearing 60-70 pounds of tear gas drenched equipment, were 
forced to stand the line with minimal rest, no bathroom facilities, and 
little food--for shifts of 16 to 17 hours. Given the fact that officers 
endured a continual barrage of insults and projectiles from out-of-
control protestors, I am surprised that there were not more instances 
where frustration and exhaustion temporarily superceded discipline and 
training. It is a credit to the men and women of the Seattle Police 
Department, the King County Sheriff's Office, the Washington State 
Patrol, and the many officers from other localities, that their 
restraint kept a bad situation from becoming much, much worse.
  As with any confrontational event involving thousands of people, 
mistakes were made by both sides. It is clear, however, that the law 
enforcement officers involved with the WTO in Seattle overwhelmingly 
exhibited professionalism and conduct above and beyond the call of 
duty--for that they should be commended. To the officers who, against 
great odds, did everything they could to preserve peace and order, I 
offer my sincere thanks.

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