[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 77 (Wednesday, June 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE MICHIGAN FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2001

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members and 
leadership of the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police for the vital role 
they play in supporting law enforcement throughout the state and for 
their far-reaching volunteer efforts and unparalleled generosity.
  The National Fraternal Order of Police is well-known for standing 
sentinel for more than 290,000 men and women in law enforcement across 
America, including 12,000 members in more than 50 lodges in Michigan. 
For many years, the organization has protected and defended the 
interests of its members and their families in public policy debates 
and other forums that help formulate rules and legislation affecting 
the way police officers do their job, including recently spearheading 
an effort for tuition waivers for survivors of police officers killed 
in the line of duty.
  Under the strong leadership of Executive Director John Buczek and 
President Kevin Sommers, the organization, does much more than address 
the critical concerns of its members. It also has a well-deserved and 
laudable reputation for responding to local communities and charities 
with donations and service that greatly enhance the image of police 
officers as the trusted, kind and dependable keepers of the peace that 
children and others in need can turn to for assistance.
  In particular, members of the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police 
deserve high praise for their collective and individual support of many 
charities, sports teams, scholarship programs and post-prom parties on 
behalf of young people statewide. Each year, the organization awards 
$20,000 in scholarships to Michigan eighth-graders for an essay contest 
designed to encourage students to say no to drugs and alcohol. They 
also operate a children's identification program in association with 
Wal-Mart Corporation and just began a Kids and Cops at the Circus 
program, which allowed them to take 1,000 children to the Shrine 
Circus. Additionally, the group fields a team of runners in the Special 
Olympics Torch Run, raising over $10,000 for people with disabilities.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing gratitude 
to the members and leadership of the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police 
for their good will and big-heartedness and in wishing them continued 
success in all their noble endeavors.

                          ____________________