[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 39 (Thursday, March 22, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 63--COMMEMORATING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEDICATION 
AND SACRIFICE MADE BY THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES WHILE 
                  SERVING AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. 
Nickles, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Miller, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. 
Biden, Mr. Gramm, Mr. Helms, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Bingaman, 
Mr. Bond, Mr. Frist, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Allard, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Edwards, 
Mr. Byrd, Mr. Reid, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Durbin, Mr. DeWine, Mr. 
Thomas, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Dayton, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Boxer, 
Mr. Levin, and Mr. Voinovich) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 63

       Whereas the well-being of all citizens of the United States 
     is preserved and enhanced as a direct result of the vigilance 
     and dedication of law enforcement personnel;
       Whereas more than 700,000 men and women, at great risk to 
     their personal safety, presently serve their fellow citizens 
     as guardians of peace;
       Whereas peace officers are on the front line in preserving 
     the right of the children of the United States to receive an 
     education in a crime-free environment, a right that is all 
     too often threatened by the insidious fear caused by violence 
     in schools;
       Whereas 150 peace officers lost their lives in the line of 
     duty in 2000, and a total of nearly 15,000 men and women 
     serving as peace officers have now made that supreme 
     sacrifice;
       Whereas every year, 1 in 9 peace officers is assaulted, 1 
     in 25 peace officers is injured, and 1 in 4,400 peace 
     officers is killed in the line of duty; and
       Whereas, on May 15, 2001, more than 15,000 peace officers 
     are expected to gather in the Nation's Capital to join with 
     the families of their recently fallen comrades to honor those 
     comrades and all others who went before them: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes May 15, 2001, as Peace Officers Memorial 
     Day, in honor of Federal, State, and local officers killed or 
     disabled in the line of duty; and
       (2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     this day with appropriate ceremonies and respect.

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am joined by the Chairman and 
Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senators Hatch and 
Leahy, along with 34 other Senators in introducing this resolution to 
keep alive in the memory of all Americans the sacrifice and commitment 
of those law enforcement officers who lost their lives serving their 
communities. Specifically, this resolution would designate May 15, 
2001, as National Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  As a former deputy sheriff, I know first-hand the risks which law 
enforcement officers face everyday on the front lines protecting our 
communities. Currently, more than 700,000 men and women who serve this 
nation as our guardians of law and order do so at a great risk. Every 
year, about 1 in 9 officers is assaulted, 1 in 25 officers is injured, 
and 1 in 4,400 officers is killed in the line of duty. There are few 
communities in this country that have not been impacted by the words: 
``officer down.''
  In 2000, approximately 150 federal, state and local law enforcement 
officers have given their lives in the line of duty. This represents 
more than a 10 percent rise in police fatalities over the previous 
year. And, nearly 15,000 men and women have made the supreme sacrifice.
  The Chairman of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 
Craig W. Floyd, reminds us, ``Despite improved equipment and better 
training, law enforcement remains the deadliest profession in America. 
On average, one officer is killed somewhere in America every 57 hours. 
At the very least, we must ensure that those officers, and their 
families, are never forgotten.''
  On May 15, 2001, more than 15,000 peace officers are expected to 
gather in our Nation's Capital to join with the families of their 
fallen comrades who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their 
responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their 
communities. In doing so, these heroes have established for themselves 
an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and 
security of all citizens. This resolution is a fitting tribute for this 
special and solemn occasion.
  I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting passage of this 
important resolution.
  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I am proud to rise today as an 
original cosponsor of Senator Campbell's resolution designating May 15, 
2001, as Peace Officers Memorial Day. I commend Senator Campbell for 
his efforts to honor these brave men and women, and thank all of our 
Nation's law enforcement officials and their families for the daily 
sacrifices they make as they work to enforce our Nation's laws and 
ensure the safety of all American citizens.
  According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 107 law enforcement 
officers lost their lives in the line of duty in 1999. Forty-two of 
these officers were killed feloniously and 65 died accidentally. An 
additional 55,026 officers were assaulted in the line of duty.
  From 1990 to 1999, 28 Arkansas law enforcement officers lost their 
lives in the line of duty. Eleven of these officers were feloniously 
killed and 16 died accidentally. During the year 2000, Patrol Officer 
Lewis D. Jones, Jr. of the Forrest City Police Department and Captain 
Thomas Allen Craig of the Arkansas State Police lost their lives, and 
in the current year, Trooper Herbert J. Smith of the Arkansas State 
Police was killed in a car accident while rushing to assist a sick 
child.
  Accordingly, I offer my condolences to the families and friends of 
Patrol Officer Jones, Captain Craig, Trooper Smith, and all of the 
other law enforcement officials who have died in the line of duty. I am 
deeply appreciative of their sacrifices and am sorry for their loss.

                          ____________________