[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OF HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2000

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the law enforcement 
officers of Hays County, Texas. April 8th is the date of the second 
annual Hays County Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD) sponsored by 
SAC-N-PAC Stores Inc. LEAD 2000 committees have been meeting since last 
October to make this year's event even more successful than the last, 
which raised $7,500 for participating law enforcement departments.
  As Event Coordinator Cheryl Warren Norton said, ``With the growing 
rate of violence, especially among our youth, it is our responsibility 
and the general public's responsibility to assist our law enforcement 
officers in areas in which they are in need.'' The money raised through 
LEAD 2000 will go toward crime prevention programs aimed at fighting 
crime and violence on the 8local level. Local law enforcement is the 
backbone of public safety and protection across America, and I am proud 
to represent an area that recognizes its law enforcement personnel for 
the heroes that they are.
  Some of the LEAD 2000 exhibits are SWAT, Mounted Patrol, the Dive 
Team, and possibly a Black Hawk Helicopter or Star Flight. The event 
will be held at the Hays County Civic Center and begins at 10:00 a.m. 
with an award presentation of bicycles for youth calendar contest 
winners, followed by an auction and fish fry.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in saluting our officers 
in blue across the nation, and I commend the LEAD 2000 organization as 
a model for other communities. This is an excellent way to show sincere 
appreciation for those who put their lives on the line for the safety 
of our communities.

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