[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 15, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H2161-H2164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
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COMMEMORATING DEDICATION AND SACRIFICES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 116) commemorating the dedication and sacrifices of
the men and women of the United States who were killed or disabled
while serving as law enforcement officers, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 116
Whereas the well-being of all citizens of the United States
is preserved and enhanced
[[Page H2162]]
as a direct result of the vigilance and dedication of law
enforcement personnel;
Whereas more than 700,000 law enforcement officers, both
men and women, at great risk to their personal safety, serve
their fellow citizens as guardians of peace;
Whereas these 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 151 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 made that supreme sacrifice;
Whereas every year, 1 in 9 peace officers is assaulted, 1
in 25 is injured, and 1 in 4,400 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 it is the sense of the House of
Representatives that--
(1) all peace officers slain in the line of duty 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 such
officers with appropriate ceremonies and respect.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barr of Georgia). Pursuant to the rule,
the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Otter) and the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Otter).
General Leave
Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on H. Res. 116, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Idaho?
There was no objection.
Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. OTTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the House consider H.
Res. 116, legislation introduced by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr.
Hefley), my colleague.
This rule commemorates the dedication and the sacrifice of the men
and women of the United States who were killed or disabled while
serving as law enforcement officers. By adopting H. Res. 116, the House
will express its belief that all peace officers slain in the line of
duty should be honored and recognized.
Further, Mr. Speaker, this resolution urges the President of the
United States to issue a proclamation calling on all Americans to honor
and recognize such officers with appropriate ceremonies and respect.
Mr. Speaker, every day more than 700,000 law enforcement officers
risk their lives and their safety to protect us. They patrol our most
dangerous streets, and they deal with the most violent elements of our
society. Increasingly, law enforcement officers are also called upon to
preserve the right of our children to receive an education. They then
pay a high price to defend all of our liberties.
As the resolution states, Mr. Speaker, 1 in 9 peace officers are
assaulted every year; 1 in 25 are injured; and, even more sadly, 1 in
4,400 are killed in the line of duty.
In my own great State of Idaho, Mr. Speaker, we have lost 56 brave
men and women in uniform who were protecting our families and our
friends and our neighbors.
These, all of them, are heroes and they have put their lives at risk,
put their families in danger, and have done something remarkable that
we do not see too often today: They put society's safety ahead of their
own.
Mr. Speaker, on June 17, 1988, Officer Linda Huff, an Idaho State
Police Officer, was shot in the parking lot of her patrol station while
walking to her car. The assailant fired 17 rounds from a high-powered
hand weapon at point-blank range. She was able to return fire and
injured her assailant before dying.
The injuries Trooper Huff inflicted on her assailant led to his
eventual arrest. More recently, on January 3 of 2001, two more
peacekeeping Idahoans lost their lives while serving a search warrant.
Corporals Anderson and Moulson were both wearing bulletproof vests when
they were met with gunfire from the suspect inside the home. Sadly, not
only are these men and women protecting us; in that process, they have
become targets themselves by the criminals.
Over 15,000 officers gather at our Nation's Capitol today to join
with the families of these recently fallen comrades and recognize the
supreme sacrifice that so many others have made in giving their last
full measure.
The courage and sacrifice displayed by our law enforcement officers
is being honored by Congress through the establishment of the National
Law Enforcement Museum. This museum will ensure the stories of heroism
and sacrifice of these police officers are always remembered.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this resolution to
offer their votes, first, in appreciation to the fallen heroes, and,
second, as a vote of confidence for those who still today serve.
This House should make plain its appreciation for the critical and
often unappreciated sacrifices these men and women make in preserving
the peace.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman
from Colorado (Mr. Hefley) for introducing this resolution honoring our
law enforcement personnel.
Mr. Speaker, the first recorded law enforcement fatality in the
performance of duty in this country occurred on May 17, 1792. The
officer, Isaac Smith, a sheriff's deputy in New York City, was shot to
death while attempting to make an arrest.
Since that time, more than 15,000 other officers have been killed in
the line of duty, and today roughly 740,000 officers continue to put
their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others.
May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day, and it is fitting that this
resolution, honoring the men and women of this country who were killed
or disabled while serving as law enforcement officers, be brought
before this body today.
According to the National Crime Victimization Survey conducted by the
Bureau of Justice Statistics in 1997, there were 31.3 million crimes
committed in the United States, an average of one crime every second.
That is how often law enforcement officers put their lives on the line;
every second of every hour they are on duty protecting the American
people. And so it is for this reason that in 1984, Congress authorized
the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
The memorial honors Federal, State and local law enforcement officers
who have died in the line of duty and recognizes the service and
sacrifice of all officers.
Completed and dedicated in 1991, the memorial, which is located here
in Washington, D.C., has the names of more than 15,000 officers who
have been killed in the line of duty inscribed on its blue-gray marble
walls.
The names of seven fallen officers from Illinois were added to the
memorial this past Sunday. Of those, Roy Costello, John Kearney, and
Alane Stoffregen were from the Chicago Police Department.
Their watch over the city ended at various times: Mr. Costello in
1945; Mr. Kearney in 1909; and Ms. Stoffregen last year. But they
served one common purpose: to keep the district that I represent safe.
Mr. Speaker, I salute them and those that serve today for their
dedication and commitment.
Since 1854, a total of 417 Chicago police officers have lost their
lives while serving our communities. For 40 years, the Chicago Police
have held the St. Jude parade to honor fallen police officers of the
previous year. More than 8,000 participants, including law enforcement
officers and employees, marched the streets of Chicago.
This year's march honored 30 fallen officers, including the last
officer killed in action, James Camp, who was shot while investigating
a car theft.
Soon a museum will be built near the memorial to tell the story of
law enforcement's proud history and to serve
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as a research repository to promote law enforcement safety.
The memorial, the future museum, and this resolution will ensure that
the heroism and sacrifice law enforcement officials make every day will
be remembered and revered, so I would urge all Members to give support
to this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley).
Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Otter)
for yielding the time to me.
Mr. Speaker, law enforcement officials from around the country have
come in these last few days and today to Washington, D.C. to
commemorate and honor fellow peace officers slain in the line of duty.
The National Peace Officers Memorial Day serves as a solemn reminder
of the sacrifice and commitment to safety that police officers make on
our behalf. The National Peace Officer Memorial Resolution, H.R. 116,
which is cosponsored by 81 of my colleagues, expresses the gratitude of
the House of Representatives for the work that these officers perform.
Law enforcement officers face unprecedented risks while protecting
our communities and our freedoms. Today over 700,000 men and women
place their lives at risk to serve as protectors of law and order.
Throughout U.S. history, more than 15,000 men and women serving as
peace officers have sacrificed their life for their Nation and
community. In the year 2000 alone, 151 Federal, State and local law
enforcers gave their lives in the line of duty. To date, 54 have died
in 2001; 3 of these 54 come from my home State of Colorado.
Law enforcement officers face enormous risks while protecting our
neighborhoods, our families, our freedoms; yet there is often an
attitude of indifference. Every community has been impacted by the work
of officers, yet most citizens have little direct contact with peace
officers. Therefore, the sacrifices of these brave Americans go
unnoticed and often underappreciated.
Mr. Speaker, without the service of peace officers, our society is
left unprotected. Law enforcement officers deserve to be recognized and
honored for their work, their dedication, their sacrifice, and, yes,
Mr. Speaker, their bravery in defense of our society.
I hope my colleagues will join me in expressing our appreciation to
all peace officers and paying tribute to those slain in the line of
duty and to their surviving families by supporting H. Res. 116.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak), one who knows
exactly what it means and what it is like to be a law enforcement
official himself.
Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Davis) for yielding the time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support this resolution in honor of law
enforcement officers who were killed or disabled in the line of duty. I
want to thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley) for sponsoring
this important legislation and to all of those who cosponsored it to
make it a reality here today.
Before coming to Congress in 1993, I served as a police officer for
12 years, both as a city police officer and as a Michigan State
trooper. I have known personally too many officers who have been
disabled or who have given their lives for the people they serve.
Each of us today understand the importance of the House of
Representatives in undertaking this resolution to honor law enforcement
officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. In this past year it has
been 151 men and women.
We do not forget those officers who died in previous years. Mr.
Speaker, in my case, I specifically think back about the funerals and
where I was honor guard for the funerals of Darrell Rantanen of the
Gladstone Post back in about 1974, or Craig Scott of the Lansing Post
who died in 1983. Those officers died doing their job just like law
enforcement officials do day in, day out.
Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, probably each one of us can name an
officer that was killed in the line of duty either in our home
districts or even here in the Capitol, which happened in 1998 with the
deaths of Capitol Police Officers Chestnut and Gibson.
We do not forget the extreme sacrifice our Nation's law enforcement
and public safety officers make to our communities and to the Nation
every day.
This legislation, as simple as it is, recognizes the very important
value our government places on the work of the men and women who serve
us each day. It is important that we take this step this week to show
our respect and recognition for the jobs that police officers do every
day, in every town, in every township, and every county in America.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in support of
this resolution. It is the least we can do for those who work with us
and work for us every day in this great Nation.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would simply say that when one gives of themselves and
gives of their life, they have given the best that they have had to
give, and I would urge support for this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1515
Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the remarks of the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Davis).
Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley) for
introducing this important piece of legislation and for his efforts to
bring it to the floor and see it through its passage. I wanted to thank
the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), of the Committee on Government
Reform, and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Scarborough), chairman of
the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization, and the
gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) and the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Davis), ranking members, for working expeditiously for bringing
this resolution to the floor.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me just remind everyone that it is our
law enforcement officers that provide for the construction of the
community, provide for its safety. They are, indeed, community
builders. It reminds me of a poem that I learned many years ago, and I
should like to offer it in closing, Mr. Speaker.
It goes like this: ``I saw a group of men in my hometown. I saw a
group of men tearing a building down. With a heave and a hoe and a
mighty yell, they swung a beam, and a side wall fell. And I said to the
foreman, `Hey, are these men skilled, you know the kind that you'd hire
if you wanted to build?' He said, `Why no indeed. To tear down a
building, common labor is all I need. With common labor, I can tear
down in a day or two what it took a builder 10 years to do.' So I
thought to myself as I walked away, which of these roles am I going to
play.''
Mr. Speaker, men and women in law enforcement and in uniform today
that build our communities deserve the vote, and I urge the Members to
provide their vote and their support.
Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution and join
Americans across the country today in honoring those officers who have
died or who were disabled in the line of duty. South Texans appreciate
those men and women who walk that thin blue line every day.
As a former law enforcement officer, I have an intimate understanding
of situations that can turn dangerous or deadly in a moment. The men
and women who police our communities walk that line that separates the
good guys from the bad guys. The work we ask our police officers to do
is dangerous, dirty duty.
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 judge and jury. Our
job is merely to treat everyone equally.
Enforcing the law is a hard job. 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 simple endeavor. But in
the end, it is the enormous satisfaction of protecting our
neighborhoods and families that makes walking that 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 enormously satisfying.
There are several South Texans who will be honored this week.
Officers who made the supreme sacrifice include: Enrique L. Carrizalez,
[[Page H2164]]
Alfred Walter Basler, David Rucker, Susan Lynn Rodriguez, Richardo
Guillermo Salinas, Joseph Moon, Juan Prieto, Dan Bock, Roy Smith, John
Sartain, and Ruben Almanza. These people are examples of the message
set forth by Jesus Christ in John 15:13: ``Greater love hath no one
than this: than to lay down one's life for his friends.''
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 to remember those members of the force who are no
longer with us, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
For the sacrifices to ensure the rule of law, the officers we honor
today and their families have the eternal gratitude of a grateful
nation. While today we remember and reflect on the last full measure of
devotion of these brave peace officers, let us do better than that by
remembering their sacrifice and respecting the danger our officers face
each and every day on our behalf every other day of the year.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res.
116, to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifices of the men and women
of the United States who were killed or disabled while serving as law
enforcement officers. It is fitting that we acknowledge and commend the
courage and dedication shown by our law enforcement officers who have
given their lives for their fellow citizens.
Mr. Speaker, sadly in the past year, 150 law enforcement officers
gave their lives in the performance of their duty. 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 remember and recognize Randy
Stevens, Steven Hodge, Richard Callwood, Dexter Mardenborough, Wilbur
Francis, Allen William, and Patrick Sweeney who were all killed as they
sought to keep the streets and communities of the Virgin Islands safe.
Mr. Speaker it was President Kennedy, who approved House Joint
Resolution 730 in October 1962, which proclaimed May 15 of each year as
Peace Officers Memorial Day and the Week of May 15th Police Week. Our
Police Officers are the defenders of our communities because they
bravely protect us from mortal dangers, in some cases at the cost of
their own lives. For that we owe them all our deepest gratitude and
respect. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H. Res. 116.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I support H. Res. 116. It is
a long-awaited tribute to the hard working law enforcement community
members.
Countless law enforcement men and women daily dedicate their lives to
our country's protection. They face unbelievable danger to say nothing
of the sacrifices: death, injury, disability and family stress. We must
finally recognize their dedication and commitment to our communities,
families and children.
They not only deserve our support and gratitude, but they also
deserve protection under the law. That is why I cosponsored H.R. 218,
the Community Protection Act. This bill, supported by police
nationwide, allows law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons.
They need this as criminals know who the officers are, who their
families are and where they live. Very simply: law enforcement officers
need protection both on and off duty.
When law enforcement officers begin their day, the risk and danger
are unknown. I cannot imagine a more unsettling feeling for both the
officer and his or her family.
Therefore, I honor law enforcement officers nationwide, particularly
those who serve Long Island.
Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution
116, honoring law enforcement officers who have been killed or disabled
in the line of duty. Often, the immeasurable contributions of our
nation's law enforcement officers go unnoticed. The establishment of a
Peace Officers Memorial Day would serve as a powerful tribute to slain
officers as well as to those who continue to risk their lives each day
to make our communities safe.
In one of the communities I represent, Glendale, California, four
police officers and one sheriff's deputy have been killed in the line
of duty. Many more have suffered work-related injuries and illnesses
that have contributed to early deaths. This ultimate sacrifice deserves
honorable recognition.
One of these fallen heroes is Charles A. Lazzaretto, a Glendale
Police Officer, who was killed in the line of duty only four years ago.
Chuck was born on October 5, 1966 and spent his early childhood living
with his family in the California communities of Walnut and Montebello.
In 1982, the Lazzaretto family moved to Burbank where his father served
as city manager. While attending Glendale Community College in the mid-
1980s, Chuck was appointed as a campus public safety officer and
subsequently promoted to the rank of sergeant. In 1985, he volunteered
for the United States marine Corps Reserves and attended Officer
Candidate School.
Chuck joined the Glendale Police Department on May 3, 1987 where he
was appointed as a reserve police officer. In 1991, he received the
rank of officer, working assignments in the juvenile, burglary, auto
theft, arson, and robbery/homicide areas. Chuck's favorite pastime was
spending time with his family. He often spoke of his love for his wife
and two sons, Andrew and Matthew, as well as his parents and three
brothers. Chuck was a community leader and family role model.
Police officers touch the lives of so many Americans. It is a long
overdue tribute that we commemorate the courage and spirit of our
nation's law enforcement officers with this resolution. I would also
like to add my voice in support of H.R. 1727, which assists the
families of those killed in the line of duty. May our fallen heroes and
their families find solace in the national recognition of their
sacrifice.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barr of Georgia). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Otter) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 116, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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