[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 135 (Wednesday, October 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MUSEUM ACT

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                               speech of

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2000

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 1438, 
the National Law Enforcement Memorial Museum Act. This important piece 
of legislation would give all Americans a place to honor and 
commemorate the members of our nation's law enforcement agencies and 
provide a museum for those who have made the supreme sacrifice in the 
line of duty.
  Mr. Speaker, during our nation's history, nearly 15,000 federal, 
state, and local law enforcement officers have lost their lives in the 
line of duty. According to the most recent FBI statistics, almost 
63,000 officers are assaulted each year, and this results in more than 
21,000 injuries. I am appalled to report that on average, one police 
officer is killed somewhere in the United States every 54 hours.
  Everyday some 740,000 law enforcement professionals are asked to put 
their lives on the line to protect the safety of others. We owe all of 
these officers a huge debt of gratitude. I believe that the time has 
come to honor all law enforcement officers and to pay particular honor 
to their fallen colleagues for their outstanding service and sacrifice 
made for our country.
  Mr. Speaker, this important legislation will establish a 
comprehensive law enforcement museum and research repository. The 
museum will permit researchers, practitioners, and the general public 
to have access to this premiere source of information on issues related 
to law enforcement history and safety.
  As my colleagues are aware, in 1984 we mandated the establishment of 
the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. This memorial was 
dedicated in 1991 just a few blocks from this Capitol Building. The 
legislation we are considering today calls for the construction for the 
National Law Enforcement Museum near the current memorial, a proper 
place for this important museum.
  Mr. Speaker, the time has come to finish what we began in 1984, and I 
urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this important legislation.

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