[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 39 (Monday, April 3, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H1638-H1639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR 19TH ANNUAL NATIONAL PEACE 
                       OFFICERS' MEMORIAL SERVICE

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 278) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the 19th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial 
Service.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 278

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE 
                   OFFICERS' MEMORIAL SERVICE.

       The National Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary 
     shall be permitted to sponsor a public event, the 19th annual 
     National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, on the Capitol 
     Grounds on May 15, 2000, or on such other date as the Speaker 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules 
     and Administration of the Senate may jointly designate, in 
     order to honor the more than 130 law enforcement officers who 
     died in the line of duty during 1999.

     SEC. 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

       (a) In General.--The event authorized by section 1 shall be 
     free of admission charge to the public and arranged not to 
     interfere with the needs of Congress, under conditions to be 
     prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol 
     Police Board.
       (b) Expenses and Liabilities.--The National Fraternal Order 
     of Police and its auxiliary shall assume full responsibility 
     for all expenses and liabilities incident to all activities 
     associated with the event.

     SEC. 3. EVENT PREPARATIONS.

       (a) Structures and Equipment.--Subject to the approval of 
     the Architect of the Capitol, the National Fraternal Order of 
     Police and its auxiliary are authorized to erect upon the 
     Capitol Grounds such stage, sound amplification devices, and 
     other related structures and equipment, as may be required 
     for the event authorized by section 1.

     SEC. 4. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS.

       The Capitol Police Board shall provide for enforcement of 
     the restrictions contained in section 4 of the Act of July 
     31, 1946 (40 U.S.C. 193d; 60 Stat. 718), concerning sales, 
     advertisements, displays, and solicitations on the Capitol 
     Grounds, as well as other restrictions applicable to the 
     Capitol Grounds, with respect to the event authorized by 
     section 1.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  House concurrent resolution 278 authorizes the use of the Capitol 
grounds for the 19th Annual Peace Officers' Memorial Service on May 15 
of 2000, or on such date as the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration jointly designate.
  The resolution authorizes the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol 
Hill Police Board, and the National Fraternal Order of Police, the 
sponsor of the event, to negotiate the necessary arrangements for 
carrying out the event in complete compliance with the rules and 
regulations governing the use of the Capitol grounds. The Capitol Hill 
police will be the hosting law enforcement agency. The event will be 
free of charge, and open to the public.
  Mr. Speaker, this service will honor Federal, State, and local law 
enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the year 1999. This 
is a fitting tribute to the men and women who have given their lives in 
the performance of said duties.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this measure, and I urge my colleagues to do 
the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no more difficult job than those who have been 
charged with keeping public peace and order. They intervene under the 
most difficult of circumstances. We give them the power to use deadly 
force in connection with conducting their duties. Unfortunately, all 
too often, these men and women are themselves in harm's way.
  Houses concurrent resolution 278 authorizes the use of the Capitol 
grounds for this most solemn service. I strongly support the resolution 
which honors these police officers, men and women who died in the line 
of duty in 1999.
  During this last year, 134 brave peace officers from the ranks of 
State, local, and Federal service were killed in the line of duty. Mr. 
Speaker, 11 women lost their lives; 2 were members of the U.S. Army 
Police Corps. Sadly, history suggests that this week, 2 or 3 more 
officers will die in the line of duty; and there will be 350 more who 
will be injured or assaulted.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1962, President Kennedy signed the law establishing 
National Police Week. May 15 is designated Peace Officers' Memorial 
Day, and the Capitol Hill ceremony will take place on that day. It is a 
day during which a grateful Nation will pay tribute to the sacrifice of 
all peace officers. As a caring Nation, we deeply appreciate that 
sacrifice.
  Just 2 years ago in my district, on January 27, 1998, Portland police 
officer Colleen Waibel was killed during a drug raid. In honor of 
Officer Waibel and the other 28 Multnomah County, Clackamas County, and 
Portland police officers who were killed in the line of duty, I would 
like to enter their names into the Congressional Record at this time.

  Multnomah County, Clackamas County and Portland Police Officers Who 
                    Were Killed in the Line of Duty

     Thomas G. O'Conner
     Charles F. Schoppe
     Samuel S. Young
     Albert W. Moe
     James T. White
     Ralph H. Stahl
     James C. Gill
     John J. McVarthy
     Jerome Palmer
     Robert E. Drake
     Charles M. White
     Phillip R. Johson
     Charles E. Vincent
     James A. Hines
     Roy E. Mizner
     Vernon J. Stroeder
     Roger L. Davies
     Robert P. Murray
     Robert R. Ferron
     Stephen M. Owens

[[Page H1639]]

     Dennis A. Darden
     David W. Crowther
     Stanley Punds
     Thomas L. Jeffries
     Colleen Waibel
     Jimmy Shoop
     Robert ``Bobby'' Anderson
     Scott Collins
     Mark Whitehead

  Mr. Speaker, to remember these officers, my city of Portland has 
built a monument in the Tom McCall Water Front Park that serves as a 
permanent recognition of the great sacrifice our officers made, as well 
as a tremendous service that all our officers provide. I was proud that 
my community recognized the importance of remembering these slain 
officers, and I think it is all together fitting to use the Capitol 
grounds to recognize those officers nationwide who gave their lives in 
the line of duty in 1999.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support and urge passage of House concurrent 
resolution 278.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to yield such time as he may 
consume to my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant), who 
has provided such great leadership in the recognition of the sacrifice 
of police officers in the line of duty.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member for 
yielding time to me, and I want to thank the chairman for bringing this 
to the floor.
  As sponsor of this legislation, I want to give my commendations to 
the National Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary. We will honor 
more than 130 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 
1999, 130 who put their lives on the line for our citizens.
  As a former sheriff, this is a significant event for me. Officers 
across the country share an extraordinary bond with one another, and we 
are all saddened by their deaths. These 130 brave officers gave their 
lives to protect our cities, to protect our neighborhoods. They will be 
held up with the highest honor and will forever be remembered for their 
valor.
  The United States Capitol is the one appropriate site for such a 
tribute. I want to thank the Fraternal Order of Police for sponsoring 
this important event, and I want to thank my good friend and neighbor, 
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) for his and the committee's 
leadership.
  I would also like to say that while everyone is in town for this 
event, visit the D.C. Memorial that lists the names of all the police 
officers who were slain in the line of duty. I want to give a special 
commendation to my Chief of Staff, who had taken a leave from my office 
and who led that particular construction and development.
  I thank Members for bringing this to the floor, and urge an aye vote.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Traficant) for his heartfelt eloquence and advocacy.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, our subcommittee is fortunate not only to have the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) ably managing the bills for the 
minority today, but the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Wise), an 
outstanding ranking member.
  The subcommittee misses the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant). As 
ranking member, he did a great job in the last Congress, as the 
gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Wise) does in this Congress. The 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) mentioned the police memorial here 
in D.C. One of the amazing things about that memorial is that it is not 
supported by taxpayer money.
  By an Act of Congress, a coin was minted. As a result of that 
subscription and that sale, the police are able to maintain that 
memorial, and every year to inscribe and honor the names of those who 
have fallen in the line of duty.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting H. Con. Res. 278, to authorize use of the Capitol Grounds 
for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service. President Kennedy 
proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day. Each year 
on May 15th, we, as a Nation, have an opportunity to honor the devotion 
with which peace officers perform their daily task of protecting us, 
our families, our co-workers, and friends.
  There are approximately 700,000 sworn law enforcement officers 
serving the American public today. During 1999, 134 peace officers were 
killed in the line of duty. In addition, approximately 65,000 officers 
are assaulted each year, with 23,000 sustaining serious injury.
  It is most fitting and proper to honor the lives, sacrifices, and 
public service of our brave peace officers. I urge support and adoption 
of House Concurrent Resolution 278.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, this is a worthy bill. I urge its 
passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
278.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof), the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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