[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 59 (Monday, May 15, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H3025-H3028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING THE 
                   NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 501) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives regarding the Nation's law enforcement officers.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 501

       Whereas the Nation's law enforcement officers preserve and 
     protect the safety and well-being of all the citizens of this 
     country;
       Whereas approximately 740,000 men and women risk their 
     personal safety every day to fight crime and to safeguard our 
     citizens;
       Whereas peace officers are on the front line in the 
     Nation's schools and on the Nation's streets, preserving 
     children's right to learn in schools that are free of 
     violence and citizens' right to safe communities;
       Whereas 134 peace officers lost their lives in the 
     performance of their duty in 1999 and a total of more than 
     15,000 have now made that supreme sacrifice;
       Whereas on average one officer dies every 54 hours and 
     thousands of officers are assaulted and injured every year; 
     and
       Whereas National Police Week 2000--May 14 to 20, 2000--
     provides an opportunity to honor and recognize the officers 
     who have died in the line of duty and to affirm the Nation's 
     thanks to the officers who put their lives on the line on a 
     daily basis to protect our citizens: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that--
       (1) all peace officers slain in the line of duty and all 
     peace officers who risk their own personal safety and well-
     being to protect this Nation's citizens should be honored and 
     recognized; and
       (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling upon 
     the people of the United States to honor and recognize slain 
     peace officers with appropriate ceremonies and respect and to 
     honor and recognize the sacrifices and risks taken daily by 
     all peace officers.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Chabot) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. 
Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).


                             General Leave

  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
to include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration, 
House Resolution 501.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Unfortunately, it is often easy to overlook the courageous service of 
a group of men and women who protect us very close to home here in the 
United States. Over 700,000 law enforcement officers, serving at every 
level of government and in communities of every size, stand guard over 
our lives and our property every single day. These officers patrol our 
streets, they pursue those who threaten our security, they are just a 
phone call away.
  Today, with the consideration of this resolution, we honor the 
dedication and devotion of America's law enforcement community. And, in 
particular, we honor the sacrifice of a specific heroic group of law 
enforcement officers. We honor those who have given their lives in 
service to the rule of law.
  Mr. Speaker, mere words cannot fully express the significance of this 
sacrifice. How do we adequately express our appreciation for those who 
are willing to die to protect us and our families? Police officers 
enjoy life just as much as the rest of us. They long to see their 
children grow up and be successful and to someday hold their 
grandchildren, just like all of us do. And yet they are willing to risk 
all of this, all of their hopes and all of their dreams, for us, to 
ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.
  It is far too easy for us to take for granted their devotion to duty. 
It is for this reason that we bring H. Res. 501 to the floor today. It 
is to honor the 134 peace officers who lost their lives in the 
performance of their duties just last year.
  It is also to commemorate the more than 15,000 officers who have made 
the supreme sacrifice over the course of our Nation's history. The 
names of these heroes are now enshrined on the Law Enforcement Memorial 
Wall only a few blocks from this very House Chamber. That wall and this 
simple resolution are among the many ways that we can encourage all 
Americans to remember, to never forget the extraordinary service of 
these extraordinary public servants.
  This week, Mr. Speaker, we celebrate Law Enforcement Officers 
Memorial Week. Earlier today, a ceremony was held on the West Lawn of 
the Capitol in memory of peace officers killed in the line of duty in 
1999. This resolution calls on the President to issue a proclamation 
calling on the people of the United States to honor and recognize slain 
peace officers.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. 
Ramstad) for introducing this resolution and taking the lead in 
ensuring that this House expresses its profound appreciation for the 
commitment and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased also to rise in support of this resolution, 
which expresses the sense of the House that law enforcement officers 
killed in the line of duty should be honored, their dedication and 
sacrifice recognized, and their service to the Nation remembered.
  I want to commend the prime sponsors, my colleagues, the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. 
Ramstad).
  Mr. Speaker, Federal, State and local police officers perform a great 
service for our communities. All too often they literally are the last 
thread between us and the forces of violence and chaos. We ask a great 
deal of the officers who protect us. We ask them to defend our homes 
and families, to patrol our roads and highways and to bring justice to 
criminals and murderers who would otherwise wreak havoc in our society. 
We ask a great deal from these brave officers and they seldom fail us. 
For this we owe the Nation's police officers our deepest gratitude and 
our strong support.

[[Page H3026]]

  President John F. Kennedy once remarked, ``A man does what he must, 
in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers 
and pressures. And that is the basis of all human morality.'' This 
quote is truly fitting of our Nation's slain officers, who truly uphold 
this lofty standard. As responsible defenders of our country, they 
bravely protect our citizens from mortal danger, and, in some cases, it 
has cost these noble officers their very lives.

                              {time}  1800

  There are very few communities that have not been touched by the 
senseless death of a police officer.
  Fittingly, I would like to acknowledge the courage and the dedication 
that these slain officers exemplified throughout their careers. This 
resolution before us seeks to honor the memories of these brave men who 
served their country with the utmost dignity.
  I strongly believe that whenever an officer is killed in the line of 
duty, the pall of sorrow falls upon our great Nation.
  Today we pause to remember our heroes whose lives were prematurely 
ended. In 1999, some 151 law enforcement officers died in the line of 
duty. For instance, Officer Tiffany Hickey, who tragically passed away 
while attempting to pull over a civilian for speeding and running a red 
light. All of 20 years old, Officer Hickey was only with the police 
force for a brief month before she left us. Nevertheless, her passing 
symbolizes the risk of all of our officers and the risks that they 
encounter in the service that they provide to our communities.
  These stories are repeated here in the Nation's capital and in cities 
around this Nation. In my own district, although we have been fortunate 
not to have lost officers in the line of duty in the past year, I pause 
to recognize Randy Stevens and Steven Hodge, who were killed in recent 
years and for whom wreaths were laid in the Virgin Islands today.
  On behalf of all my colleagues, I commend these and all brave 
officers for paying the ultimate sacrifice and for their efforts at 
protecting our communities.
  In addition, Mr. Speaker, it is also fitting that as we pause to 
remember our Nation's fallen officers that we also remember the two 
Capitol Hill Police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty 
just last year. Officer Chestnut and Officer Gibson protected the very 
core of our American society and our belief in the preservation of 
life. We will always remember these brave officers.
  In closing, I would like to offer my utmost sympathy and that of my 
colleagues to the families and friends of our fallen heroes who have 
gathered today in Washington, D.C., and to the family and friends who 
were unable to commute as we honor the memories of their loved ones.
  Again, I urge my colleagues to continue ensuring the memory of these 
courageous officers by supporting this House Resolution. God bless them 
all, and God bless America.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad), and I want to thank him for his 
leadership in this very important area.
  Mr. RAMSTAD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Chabot) for yielding me the time and for his leadership as subcommittee 
chairman on this important House resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I rise as the proud sponsor, along with my good 
friend, our distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Stupak), of this important resolution, H. Res. 501, to honor those 
brave police officers who have given their lives to keep our 
communities safe.
  Unfortunately, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) is not able 
to be here today, as a personal tragedy has struck his family. I know 
the thoughts and prayers of every Member in the House of 
Representatives are certainly with the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Stupak) and Laurie and their family.
  The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) was the impetus for this 
legislation, and he has done absolutely stellar work on behalf of our 
Nation's law enforcement officers during his time in Congress.
  As co-chair, along with the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak), of 
the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, I applaud the courage and 
dedication to duty of all police and peace officers serving our 
communities. These officers put their lives on the line for us and our 
families every single day they put on the badge.

  Their courage and sacrifice was demonstrated in a very dramatic way, 
as the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) just 
described, during the summer of 1998 when shots rang out not far from 
this chamber and two brave and loyal U.S. Capitol Police officers lost 
their lives.
  It is fitting that we consider this resolution during National Police 
Week. Earlier today, thousands of officers gathered on the west front 
of the Capitol for the 19th Annual Peace Officers' Memorial Service. 
The names of 134 police and peace officers killed in the line of duty 
this past year alone have been added to the Law Enforcement Memorial 
wall, just steps from the Capitol at Judiciary Square.
  That is right, Madam Speaker, 134 law enforcement officers killed in 
the line of duty in 1999; and over 15,000 officers killed since our 
Nation started keeping records of their deaths.
  My home State of Minnesota has lost over 200 police and peace 
officers over the years. On average, a law enforcement officer in the 
United States is killed every other day in America. Each year one in 
nine officers is assaulted and one in 25 is injured while on duty.
  These sacrifices are made every day to fight crime and protect our 
citizens. These law enforcement heroes and their families deserve our 
deepest gratitude and respect during National Police Week and every 
other day of the year. We must never forget their sacrifices, including 
the ultimate sacrifice paid by too many law enforcement officers in the 
United States. We must work for a day when no more names will be added 
to the Law Enforcement Memorial and a resolution like this will never 
be necessary.
  Madam Speaker, I urge heartfelt support for this resolution honoring 
our Nation's fallen law enforcement officers, America's true heroes.
  Again, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) for his 
leadership.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Gilman).
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 501, recognizing 
our Nation's fallen men and women in blue during Police Memorial Week, 
a time when our Nation joins families, friends, and colleagues of our 
Nation's slain peace officers in honoring and remembering their 
sacrifices.
  I commend the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad) for introducing 
this measure.
  Madam Speaker, permit me to take this moment to invite our colleagues 
to join in expressing our condolences to our good friend and colleague, 
the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak), a long-time supporter of our 
Nation's police, and to his family and friends for the loss of their 
son, B.J., this past weekend.
  Madam Speaker, since 1789, when Congress first created the first 
Federal law enforcement officer, the United States Marshal, over 14,000 
officers have died in the line of duty, including over 1,000 from the 
State of New York.
  These dedicated heroes must never be forgotten. Their sacrifice must 
serve as a reminder that the price of a safer Nation has been paid for 
with the lives of our police officers.
  Police Memorial Week is a time for all of us to be reminded that when 
a police officer is killed, it is not just a community that loses an 
officer, it is our entire Nation.
  Madam Speaker, earlier today it was a privilege for me to be able to 
join the friends and families of our Nation's slain police officers at 
the 19th Annual National Police Officers Memorial service outside the 
Capitol. Moreover, I

[[Page H3027]]

had the honor this past Sunday of attending a local police memorial 
service in Montgomery, New York, in my own district. And I will be 
joining my constituents in the law enforcement community in New City, 
New York, later on this week. These ceremonies are symbolic of programs 
and memorials being conducted throughout our Nation this week.
  Accordingly, I would like to take this opportunity to recite the 
names of those fallen heroes from the State of New York who, in the 
name of duty, gave their lives over the past year: Sergeant James C. 
Low, Officer Matthew, Anthony Dziergowski, and Officer Sharyn D. Dover.
  I would also like to remember an officer from my Congressional 
district, Vincent Guidice of Stony Point, who died in the line of duty 
in the past few years. To our fallen officers, we express our Nation's 
gratitude. To our fallen men and women in blue, in their spirit, we 
pledge to continue to fight for those laws that provide our Nation's 
peace officers with the tools and resources needed to fulfill their 
mandate in making our communities a safer place in which to live.
  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).
  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Chabot) for yielding me the time here to speak on this issue.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in proud support today of this important bill, 
a bill introduced by my friend and colleague the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad), along with the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Stupak), a bill which will honor and recognize those peace officers 
slain in the line of duty, as well as all peace officers who risk their 
own personal safety every day to protect the citizens of the United 
States.
  There are approximately 740,000 sworn law enforcement officers 
currently serving in the United States. Every day these officers 
courageously serve and protect the safety and welfare of all Americans. 
They are motivated by their own personal sense of good will and 
responsibility and not by a desire for praise, recognition, or glory.
  As citizens, we must rely on their dedication, their commitment, and 
their bravery. Yet, oftentimes we are unaware of the enormous risks 
that they take every day. Since the first recorded police death in 
1794, there have been more than 15,000 law enforcement officers killed 
in the line of duty in the United States.
  In the past 10 years alone, over 1,500 law enforcement officers have 
died in the line of duty. Madam Speaker, that is an average of one 
death every other day.
  The State of Nevada has lost 54 officers over the years. These fallen 
officers leave behind wives, children, other family members, and 
friends as a result of their dedication to law enforcement and to the 
public they serve.
  I encourage all my colleagues to support this important bill, which 
recognizes the risks and sacrifices that our police officers make every 
day to protect our families and our property and welfare. It is my hope 
that we honor these men and women not just today, but every day.
  Finally, let us never forget these officers who made the ultimate 
sacrifice with their lives in service to the people of this great 
Nation.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.
  Madam Speaker, as we rise to recognize and thank the officers who 
have given their lives in service to this community, I also want to 
join my colleagues in offering my sincerest condolences to our 
colleague, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) on the personal 
tragedy that he and his family have experienced this weekend.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution. 
This resolution expresses the sense of the House that law enforcement 
officers killed in the line of duty should be honored, their dedication 
and sacrifice recognized and their service to the nation remembered.
  Federal, state, and local police officers perform a great service for 
our communities. All too often they literally are the last thread 
between us and the forces of violence and chaos. We ask a great deal of 
the officers who protect us. We ask them to defend our homes and 
families; to patrol our roads and highways; and to bring justice to 
criminals and murderers who would otherwise wreck havoc on our society. 
We ask a great deal from these brave officers, and they seldom fail us. 
For this, we owe the nation's police officers our deepest gratitude and 
our strong support.
  President John F. Kennedy once remarked, ``A man does what he must--
in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers 
and pressures--and that is the basis of all human morality.'' This 
quote is truly fitting of our nation's slain officers, who truly uphold 
this lofty standard. As responsible defenders of our country, they 
bravely protect our citizens from mortal danger, and in some cases, it 
has cost these noble officers their very lives. There are very few 
communities in the United States that have not been touched by the 
senseless death of a police officer.
  Fittingly, I would like to acknowledge the courage and dedication 
that these slain officers exemplified throughout their careers. This 
resolution before us seeks to honor the memories of these brave men who 
served their country with the utmost dignity. I strongly believe that 
whenever an officer is killed in the line of duty, the pall of sorrow 
falls upon our great Nation.
  Today, we pause to remember our heroes whose lives were prematurely 
ended. In 1999, some 151 law enforcement officers died in the line of 
duty. In 1999, this figure included 12 from the state of Texas. These 
officers (Troy Blando, Tiffany Hickey, Larry Jacobs, Clyde Kincaid, 
Larry Kolb, Terry Miller, Thomas Monse, Jr., Daniel Nagle, Carl Fisher, 
Luis Tudyk, Mark Stephenson and Leonard Turner) did not pass in vain, 
but in service to their community and their nation.
  For instance, Officer Tiffany Hickey, who tragically died while 
attempting to pull over a civilian for speeding and running a red 
light. All of 20 years old, Officer Hickey was only with the Police 
Force for a brief month before she left us. Nevertheless, her passing 
symbolizes the risk all of our officers encounter and the service that 
they provide our communities. In addition, Officer Troy Blando, an 
undercover police for the Houston Police Department tragically was 
killed last year. A 19 year veteran of the force, Officer Blando was 
checking out a suspected car thief when he was gunned downed while 
seated in his vehicle. Sadly, his family and friends will mark May 19, 
2000 as the anniversary of his passing. On behalf of the 18th 
Congressional District, the city of Houston and our nation, I commend 
these brave officers for paying the ultimate sacrifice and for their 
efforts at protecting our communities.
  In addition, Madam Speaker, it is also fitting that as we pause to 
remember our nation's fallen officers, that we also remember the two 
Capitol Hill Police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty 
just last year. Officer Chestnut and Officer Gibson protected the very 
core of our American society, and our belief in the preservation of 
life. I will forever remember these brave officers.
  In closing, I wish to offer my utmost sympathy to the families and 
friends of our fallen heroes who have gathered today in Washington, 
D.C., and to the family and friends who were unable to commute as we 
honor the memories of their loved ones. Again, I urge my colleagues to 
continue ensuring the memory of these courageous officers by supporting 
this House resolution. God bless you all and God Bless America.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution 
honoring our nation's local, state and federal law enforcement officers 
during Police Week 2000. This weekend, I had the honor of speaking 
before the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of South 
Texas quarterly meeting in Floresville, Texas. We cannot thank our 
constables enough for the sacrifices they make and the work they do 
each day to make our communities and homes as safe as can be. These are 
everyday family men, who get up each morning or leave their homes each 
night to serve and protect. Each shift, they face an unknown and 
potentially dangerous situation, whether they are patrolling, serving 
notice, or responding to call for help. I salute our constables and 
J.P.'s who maintain a continual and visible presence in our 
communities, particularly in rural areas, where city and state police 
coverage is less apparent.
  Of course, this tribute for Police Week 2000, which this year began 
on May 14 and will continue until May 20, applies to all levels of law 
enforcement, and I extend my comments to include all police officers, 
sheriffs and deputies, troopers and federal law enforcement officers. 
Peace officers from differing jurisdictions and levels of government 
have proven time and again that they can work well effectively and get 
the job done. I applaud officers of all stripes for the hard work and 
sacrifices they make throughout the country.
  At this time, I would also like to draw attention to the two 
tragedies involving law enforcement officers which have befallen South 
Texas

[[Page H3028]]

in the past year. On October 12, 1999, in the town of Pleasanton in 
Atascosa County, Texas, three brave officers of the law fell in the 
line of duty. Atascosa Sheriff's deputies, Thomas Monse and Mark 
Stephenson, along with Texas state trooper Terry Miller were all gunned 
down in an ambush by a lone gunman.
  Officer Miller, the first Texas trooper who had been killed since 
1994 and the 74th trooper killed in the line of duty, left behind a 
wife and two children, ages 13 and 22 months. Officer Monse, a former 
Bexar County deputy, left behind a wife and four children. Officer 
Stephenson, who also served our nation in the military for seven years, 
left behind a wife and three children.
  In addition to those who paid with their lives, Atascosa County 
deputy Carl Fisher and Pleasanton police officer Luis Tudyk, were 
wounded while carrying out their duty.
  The other tragedy, in San Antonio, was much more recent. Oscar Perez, 
a young San Antonio Police Officer was killed on Friday, March 24, 2000 
as he served a warrant on a drug fugitive. Aged 31 at his death, he 
left behind a pregnant wife and two young children, ages 5 and sixteen 
months. As his 6\1/2\ year career as a San Antonio police officer came 
to a tragic and abrupt end, we honor him and the 41 others in the 
history of the San Antonio Police Departments, serves as a reminder of 
the unique and fatal risks they all too often must bear.
  Our hearts go out to the families of these brave men and all the 
others who have in earlier years shed their blood so we can live safely 
and securely. We honor our slain law enforcement officers so that their 
own children and loved ones will know that we cannot and will not 
forget, and keep the memory of their service and sacrifice as an on-
going inspiration to those who follow.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I offer my support for this bill, and thank 
the House of Representatives for hearing this important resolution 
today.
  My colleagues and I join Americans across the country today in 
honoring those officers who have died in the line of duty, keeping our 
streets safe. I also want to offer my appreciation to those men and 
women in our community who walk that thin blue line every day.
  As a former law enforcement officer, I have a unique understanding of 
the everyday dangers and sense of accomplishment that accompanies each 
officer every day. What people do not understand very often, is that it 
is the inherent risk of what we might have to do that makes law 
enforcement so dangerous. We see the best and worst of our fellow human 
beings. It is not our job to judge them. That task is reserved for 12 
people and someone wearing a robe. Our job is merely to treat everyone 
alike.
  Enforcing the law is a hard job. There are detractors everywhere. 
When people do something wrong, their first instinct is to find fault 
with the person who catches them. So being the guardian of our laws is 
never a happy endeavor. But in the end, it is the enormous satisfaction 
of protecting our neighborhoods and families that makes walking that 
blue line worth all the danger and criticism. It is the laughter of 
safe children, or the gratitude of someone whose life or property we 
protect, that makes doing this job an enormously satisfying endeavor.
  There are several South Texans who will be honored this week. 
Officers who made the supreme sacrifice include: Los Fresnos Police 
Officer Enrique L. Carrizalez; Department of Public Safety Trooper 
David Rucker; Border Patrol Agents Susan Lynn Rodriguez and Richardo 
Guillermo Salinas; and Corpus Christi Police Department Officers Joseph 
Moon, Juan Prieto, Dan Bock, Roy Smith, John Sartain and Ruben Almanza. 
A National Police Hall of Fame award will go to Officer Hector 
Gonzalez, who was shot twice at the scene of a family disturbance; 
Gonzalez still works for the Los Fresnos Police Department.
  Today, let us not forget the sacrifice made on our behalf right here 
in this building; our own Capitol Police Officers Chestnut and Gibson 
died defending Members of Congress and the public who populate this 
building. The House of Representatives joins families and communities 
across the nation remember those members of the force who are no longer 
with us, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. For that 
sacrifice, they and their family have the eternal gratitude of a 
grateful community and a grateful nation.
  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I strongly support this bill. As someone 
who spent twenty-six and a half years in law enforcement, it is 
important that we recognize our men and women who stand in the line of 
fire and protect our cities and communities from crime. These 
individuals are on the front lines every day maintaining the peace and 
providing public safety for all Americans.
  From our borders to our inner cities, in rural areas and along our 
coasts, these men and women defend and protect our children, friends, 
neighbors and family. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
  As of late, we have watched with horror as violent and dangerous 
incidents have taken place around the country and caused concern for 
all Americans. With multiple shooting at our schools, community 
centers, in the workplace, and in every part of the country, we have 
tragically seen innocent victims injured and killed from gunfire.
  It is our men and women of law enforcement who step into these 
dangerous situations and restore the peace, deal with victims and do 
their best to apprehend those responsible.
  Each year, however, we know that some of our local, state, and 
federal officers are wounded and some make the ultimate sacrifice for 
our benefit. We can never take their sacrifices for granted, and should 
never forget their service to our country.
  I therefore am proud to support this resolution which designates 
today as National Peace Officers Memorial Day honoring those peace 
officers killed in the line of duty.
  I therefore support this bill, and ask my colleagues to vote for its 
passage.
  Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, we have no further requests for time on 
this side of the aisle, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 501.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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