[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 119 (Thursday, September 13, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H5598-H5605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR EXPEDITED PAYMENT OF CERTAIN BENEFITS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY 
  OFFICERS KILLED OR INJURED IN CONNECTION WITH TERRORIST ATTACKS OF 
                           SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it be in 
order at any time, without intervention of any point of order, to 
consider in the House the bill (H.R. 2882) to provide for the expedited 
payment of certain benefits for a public safety officer who was killed 
or suffered a catastrophic injury as a direct and proximate result of a 
personal injury sustained in the line of duty in connection with the 
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; that the bill be considered as 
read for amendment; that the previous question be considered as ordered 
on the bill to final passage without intervening motion except; 1, one 
hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and 
ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their 
designees; and, 2, one motion to recommit; and that the chair may, 
notwithstanding the order of the previous question, postpone further 
consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House 
just agreed to, I call up the bill (H.R. 2882) to provide for the 
expedited payment of certain benefits for a public safety officer who 
was killed or suffered a catastrophic injury as a direct and proximate 
result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty in connection 
with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and ask for its 
immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of H.R. 2882 is as follows:

                               H.R. 2882

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. EXPEDITED PAYMENT FOR HEROIC PUBLIC SAFETY 
                   OFFICERS.

       Notwithstanding the limitations of subsection (b) of 
     section 1201 or the provisions of subsections (c), (d), and 
     (e) of such section or section 1202 of title I of the Omnibus 
     Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796, 
     3796a), upon certification by a public agency that a public 
     safety officer employed by such agency was killed or suffered 
     a catastrophic injury as a direct and proximate result of a 
     personal injury sustained in the line of duty as described in 
     section 1201(a) of such Act in connection with the rescue or 
     recovery efforts related to the terrorist attacks of 
     September 11, 2001, the Director of the Bureau of Justice 
     Assistance shall authorize payment to qualified 
     beneficiaries, said payment to be made not later than 30 days 
     after receipt of such certification, benefits described under 
     subpart 1 of part L of such Act (42 U.S.C. 3796 et seq.).

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this Act, the terms ``catastrophic 
     injury'', ``public agency'', and ``public safety officer'' 
     have the same meanings given such terms in section 1204 of 
     title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 
     1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of today, 
the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Weiner) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on H.R. 2882, the bill currently under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.

[[Page H5599]]

  Mr. Speaker, this legislation provides for payments to be made within 
30 days to officers and their families under the Public Safety Officers 
Benefits of certification of a public agency that a public safety 
officer was killed or suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of a 
personal injury in the line of duty of rescue or recovery efforts 
related to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
  The Public Safety Officer's Benefit Act provides benefits to public 
safety officers and their families for injury or death on duty. The 
program was established in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets 
Act of 1968, as amended. The program provides a lump sum benefit to 
survivors of Federal, State, and local public safety officers whose 
death and disability was the direct and proximate result of traumatic 
injuries sustained in the line of duty. The current lump sum payment is 
approximately $175,000 in the case of death. The program offers aid and 
allows for such sums as may be necessary.
  The purpose of this resolution is simple and clearly warranted: that 
is, to provide swift aid and comfort to the survivors of the public 
safety officers who perished in the wake of the terrorist attacks on 
the World Trade Center in New York City. Their loss and the loss 
incurred by the New York City fire and police departments is 
unfathomable.
  The bravery exhibited by these men and women was of the greatest 
magnitude, and was the embodiment of noble service to our Nation and to 
the citizens of this country.
  One wonders where these firefighters and police officers mustered the 
strength and courage to withstand dozens of stories to battle the 
raging fire above, all along the way directing and calming thousands of 
people desperately trying to flee the deadly danger above.
  In the towers and on the ground, New York City public safety officers 
were unflinching in carrying out their mission of saving and protecting 
thousands of people who now owe their lives to these devoted officers. 
Because of their dedication to duty, many officers made the ultimate 
sacrifice for their fellow citizens. May God bless their souls and 
their families. They will never be forgotten, and their heroism will 
always be cherished by a grateful Nation, State, and city.
  Having said this, let me express my concern that paperwork might 
result in the delay in the payment of these benefits to families who 
desperately need the incomes now that a breadwinner is no longer with 
them.
  State law usually governs how a person who is missing is declared 
dead. This is not done by Federal law. The legislation before us today, 
as well as the law that has been on the books for over 30 years, 
requires an appropriate certification of death.

                              {time}  1130

  Let me urge the Governor and legislature of the State of New York 
that if there does need to be an amendment to the law to allow for 
appropriate certification, including but not limited to the issuance of 
an official death certificate, to take prompt action so that these 
certifications can be made and the payments issued to the families of 
the police officers and firefighters who perished in the line of duty.
  This concern, however, for me, is not limited just to this bill, 
because there are literally thousands of people who are missing in the 
fire and collapse of the World Trade Center whose families will be 
waiting for insurance proceeds even though they are not police officers 
and firefighters; and there the same type of certification is needed so 
that the payments can be made to the beneficiaries under those 
policies. I would certainly hope that the law would be able to respond 
to this tragedy so that these payments can be made promptly rather than 
having months or perhaps even years of litigation before a certificate 
issues and the payment is to be made.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  First, I offer the thanks of our city to the many Members of the 
House, particularly the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, who 
has spoken so eloquently. Many of us just returned this morning and 
more than a few of my constituents commented how heartening and 
reassuring it was to see Members come to the well yesterday for hours 
talking about their expressions of sympathy and support.
  My colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), and I late 
last night visited ground zero and we saw a sight that was at once 
horrific and frankly heartening. We saw mounds of rubble, maybe the 
size of this building, that were tombs for some of the bravest New 
Yorkers and bravest Americans. These were men who perished, many of 
them my constituents. Over 100 families in just one small part of my 
district were where firefighters and police officers had lived.
  At the same time people were furiously running downstairs to escape 
what was described in the newspapers as 1,000 to 2,000 degree heat, 
heat sufficient to melt the columns of the World Trade Center, to melt 
through the insulation on the beams. These firefighters were running up 
those stairs, as the chairman mentioned. Some of them were seen on the 
80th floor. And to give my colleagues an idea of what a firefighter 
carries on his back and on his person when he goes into battle, it is 
weight akin to me. It is like carrying a human being all the way up 
those stairs. And they did so not because they were naive about the 
dangers that they faced; it is because they recognized the dangers that 
their fellow New Yorkers faced, and they were going to do everything 
possible to see them protected.
  We say it at times like this, that these are true heroes because they 
go to the most dangerous jobs without flinching. But to be honest, 
everywhere in this country, every night as we lay down our heads to 
sleep and we tuck our children in and we say our evening prayers and we 
think about what we are going to do the following day, at those very 
same hours there are men and women all over this country who stay up 
all night waiting to hear a bell go off, or a siren go off; and then 
they run to help us. They do not know us.
  To see these men now at this site that are digging through this 
rubble, they are looking for their best friends, looking for their 
brothers, looking for their fathers in some cases. We lost one of the 
highest-ranking fire officials in the city. We lost a priest who 
serviced the men in the fire department when a body fell on him from 
stories above. These are people who every day do these things on our 
behalf. Their families send them off to work hoping that they will see 
them when they come back, and they do incredible work.
  Well, now, in New York City, we have over 300 families, by last 
count, who are not going to see their husbands, their fathers, their 
children again; and this is a measure that I think is needed in some 
small way to help expedite the benefits to these families. But make no 
mistake, my colleagues, the worst is yet to come for those families. We 
have an ability now, as we must, to try to do what we can to ease the 
suffering, and then we will go on. Our lives will be put back together 
again. We will remember those horrific images.
  I can say assure my colleagues of one thing, as Mayor Guiliani told 
us late last night, and we agree with 100 percent, and I speak for all 
of my New York colleagues, we are going to rebuild the city. We will be 
a better and stronger city, and we will be a better and stronger 
country. But those families have lost someone that they are not going 
to be able to replace. There is not a day that will go by that they 
will not remember that. And I also hope there is not a day that goes by 
that all of those survivors that got out of there, and who saw those 
men running up the stairs as they were running down, I hope they 
remember as well the great heroism.
  Tonight and nights after, as we retire for the evening and as we say 
a little prayer for the safety and health of our families, let us also 
say a prayer for those men and women that look over our shoulders every 
day in communities large and small all throughout this community.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. King).
  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time, and I want to totally identify myself with the remarks of my 
colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner).
  The fact is that the firefighters, the police officers in the City of 
New York

[[Page H5600]]

have performed heroic service above and beyond any call of duty. And 
while Tuesday is a day which will live in infamy in this country, the 
fact is at the same time it showed the great spirit of New York, the 
great spirit of America, and the particularly great spirit of the men 
and women of the New York City Police Department and Fire Department. 
They responded in a way which is unprecedented, unparalleled, and 
demonstrated their true commitment to what they believe in, and that is 
the safety and welfare of all New Yorkers, all Americans, and all 
people.
  I would say that their courage stands in stark contrast to the 
behavior of those who attacked our city in such a cowardly fashion. So 
I think this legislation is absolutely essential. There are many 
people, and all of us from New York, who know people killed. Certainly 
Father Judge, the chaplain, was a friend of mine, and another young 
man, Michael Boyle was a very good friend of mine, and I would say at 
this time we must commit ourselves to those men who gave their lives.
  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from New York, 
all my colleagues from New York, and my colleagues from around the 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, first let me commend my colleague, the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Nadler); the Speaker of the House, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hastert); the Democratic leader, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), for the leadership displayed here in this 
House over the past few days and for moving this legislation so 
expeditiously to the floor.
  I rise today to speak with a very heavy heart and a tightened throat. 
Our Nation has suffered a terrible blow. Yesterday, I, along with my 
colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner), as mentioned 
before, visited the epicenter, or ground zero as it has been called, of 
this monstrous crime. As I stood in a crater of what was once a grand 
and majestic building, I was looking into the heart of a criminal, of a 
cold thing and of an awful thing. But I also saw a picture of the 
American heart and of the American nature, that of the New York Police 
Department, Fire Department, and emergency rescue technicians.
  These men, who did not and have not faltered for even one second, 
were and continue to fight tirelessly to find any person who may have 
been lost and is yet still alive. My cousin, John Moran, who I spoke of 
not too long ago on this floor, is one of those men.
  John is an amazing man. He is a battalion chief, a lawyer, and a 
second generation fireman. His father, my uncle, was also a fireman. 
His brother Michael is a fireman. John is a wonderful husband and the 
father of two small children, beautiful boys. He understands the risks, 
and he understands what he might be losing, yet he continues to put his 
life in harm's way to save others day in and day out.
  This past Tuesday, while trying to rescue others at ground zero, my 
cousin became one of the missing. He was one of more than 300 firemen 
and police officers and technicians to die or go missing that day. We 
have also lost Reverend Michael Judge, a personal friend of mine, who 
was the chaplain of the fire department; Chief of the New York Fire 
Department's Special Operations Command, who was my cousin's immediate 
superior, Ray Downey; Bill Feehan, first deputy commissioner of the 
fire department, a wonderful man; and Peter Ganci, chief of the New 
York City Fire Department.
  In Woodside, the area I represent, we lost two firefighters on 
Father's Day from Rescue Company 4, and we add to that people who are 
missing, seven individuals, some of whom are my friends: Captain Brian 
Hickey, Lieutenant Kevin Dowdell, Lieutenant Terrance Farrell, 
Firefighter Peter Nelson, Firefighter Peter Brennan, Firefighter 
William Mahoney, Firefighter Durell Persall. Rescues 1, 2, 3, and 5 
also sustained casualties. I also have friends who are missing: 
Firefighter Michael Dee. My understanding is that Firefighter Mike 
Weinberg from my neighborhood has been found. Another friend, from the 
Rockaways, Walter Heinz, is also missing.
  The Bible says, ``Be brave, my child; the Lord of heaven and earth 
grant you joy in place of this sorrow of yours.'' And so this is our 
solace. But I ask all Americans to honor those whose bravery, so great, 
cost them all their earthly pleasures by caring for those they leave 
behind.
  This bill provides an expedited payment of $151,000 to the families 
of the brave men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty. It 
is one small way that we can help families cope with this tragic loss, 
by providing families with the financial assistance to pay for 
colleges, to continue paying their mortgages and to continue onward.
  Let us create a legacy for those brave men and women. We have 
suffered tremendously in New York City. We have not only the loss of 
firefighters and police officers and technicians, but the loss of life 
itself of so many of our constituents and citizens. This is the least 
we can do for those who served. While men and women were screaming to 
get out of the building, these men and women were rushing into the 
building to try to save lives.
  Yesterday, the Governor of New York asked a fireman why he would risk 
his life, and the firefighter told him, ``What else do you expect? I'm 
a New Yorker.'' God bless America, the land of the free, and the home 
of the bravest and the finest.
  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
New York (Mrs. Lowey).
  Mrs. LOWEY. My colleagues, we have experienced this week some of the 
darkest moments in our Nation's history, and yet in the midst of this 
horrible and unspeakable loss that our Nation suffered, thousands of 
brave men and women stepped forward risking, and indeed sacrificing, 
their own lives to rescue and save their fellow Americans.
  The stories we have heard from our colleagues today are only the 
beginning. Thousands and thousands of families are suffering, not 
knowing. This is just the beginning.

                              {time}  1145

  So today, colleagues, we have the opportunity to offer one small 
gesture of thanks, to let the families of the firefighters, police 
officers, and rescue workers who gave their lives know that the 
American people and the United States Congress are profoundly grateful 
for their sacrifice.
  The gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), who is on his way to the 
Capitol, had this horror occur in his district in New York City. He has 
introduced this legislation to provide for the expedited payments of 
benefits for public safety officers who were killed or suffered 
catastrophic injuries in the line of duty while responding to the 
terrorist attacks of September 11. It is simply unconscionable that the 
families of men and women who gave so much at such a difficult and 
horrific time should now have to struggle to receive government 
benefits that are so obviously due.
  Even as we mourn and grieve today, we must appreciate that Americans 
did not hide, nor did they cower in the face of adversity and brutal 
assault. Rather, we banded together and worked feverishly to save every 
life that could be saved. While thousands of Americans donated blood 
and food and shelter to the victims of these attacks, no Americans gave 
more than the public safety officers who this legislation would 
benefit.
  In the face of the unthinkable, there is only so much that we can do 
to thank these noble citizens. This legislation is only a start and 
cannot compare to the loss of life for their families, but it is an 
important one. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this 
legislation honoring our Nation's bravest heroes.
  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Israel).
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise with a profound sense of humility, 
first and foremost, to offer my condolences and prayers to our 
colleague and above all our friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Crowley) and to offer our love to the gentleman and his family.
  Mr. Speaker, in my district we have lost, too, many firefighters. I 
have spoken with the families, and the last thing in the world they 
have need to worry about right now is their finances. This legislation 
is vital to

[[Page H5601]]

them at this dark hour of their lives. They should not be worried about 
red tape or bureaucracy or paperwork.
  I believe it brings great honor on this House that Republicans and 
Democrats, from New York to California, would rise together to do the 
right thing by these families who have suffered so deeply, and to 
express our commitment to them by passing this bill and by continuing 
to pray for all of them.
  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Hinchey).
  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the 
Committee on the Judiciary, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner), for expediting this legislation and bringing it to the 
floor so quickly.
  As we all know, on Tuesday morning we witnessed the greatest assault 
on the Nation in our history. But since then, we have also seen 
examples of some of the greatest bravery and some of the most 
compassionate people that we have seen also in the history of our great 
country.
  With this legislation, we begin the process that we will be involved 
in as a Congress in participating in the healing that must take place 
both for the city of New York and for the people who live there. With 
this legislation, we recognize the great bravery and heroism that was 
displayed by the municipal officers of that city, police officers, fire 
officers, port authority policemen and others.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate, obviously, that we do so; and in this 
small way, with a small gesture, we provide some of the financial 
support that their families who were left behind justly deserve.
  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, how much time remains on our side?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). The gentelman has seventeen 
and one-half minutes.
  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Watson).
  Ms. WATSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Nadler) for bringing this bill to the floor and join my 
colleagues from New York and other places in the extensions of 
sympathy.
  Over the past few days, many of us have spoken up to commend public 
safety personnel across the country for their bravery, to thank them 
for their tireless efforts, and to offer our condolences for the loss 
of their colleagues. Their courage in the face of danger and ongoing 
struggle under the burden of great fatigue has given our Nation hope in 
otherwise bleak circumstances.
  It indeed was a 911 emergency call. But words cannot match the 
sacrifices of the police, fire and rescue personnel who have paid the 
dearest price for their valor. We owe it to them and to their families 
that we provide the injury and survivor benefits promised to them, in 
the quickest and most efficient manner possible.
  By passing this bill, we will in Congress match our words of thanks 
with real actions to support the men and women on the front lines of 
their struggle.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill without delay.
  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak), the head of the Law Enforcement 
Caucus here in Congress.
  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation to 
expedite the benefits for the public safety officers who were killed or 
injured as a result of the horrific events of September 11. I commend 
the members of the Committee on the Judiciary, the chairman and the 
ranking member on this side for bringing this legislation forward.
  As the founder and the co-chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus, we are 
constantly reminded, and having been a police officer, I have witnessed 
the hard work and dedication and sacrifice of our Nation's public 
safety officers that they take in day in and day out to make this world 
safer.
  Mr. Speaker, every time we have a bill on the floor, we hear the old 
cliche about how they put their lives on the line every day for us. 
Unfortunately, that is true.
  Mr. Speaker, on September 11, and every day since then, we have 
witnessed, whether through watching the buildings collapse or just 
seeing the news coverage, we witness the dedication and courage of the 
public safety officers and emergency medical responders who responded 
to the emergencies in New York and northern Virginia and Pennsylvania, 
wherever it may be.
  We in the Law Enforcement Caucus, since I have been here, have been 
fighting to make sure that there are survivors' benefits, education 
benefits. We regret that today we have to stand here and try to 
expedite benefits for hundreds of those public safety officers who gave 
their lives to try to assist all those people who were in need of maybe 
just a helping hand or a friendly face as they struggled to get out of 
the danger they were in.
  By expediting these benefits we in Congress, we in the Law 
Enforcement Caucus, remind the people throughout this great Nation of 
the work and dedication and courage of public safety officers, but also 
during their time of need as they are each and every day for us in our 
time of need, that we stand ready to assist them.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner) for 
bringing this bill to the floor, and I hope everyone in this Caucus and 
Congress supports this legislation.
  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Moran).
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in very strong 
support of this legislation which will seek to ease a small part of the 
intolerable burden which has been placed on families of public safety 
officers who have been lost or injured in their heroic efforts to 
rescue the victims of Tuesday's attacks.
  Currently the Department of Justice provides a one-time payment 
benefit of $100,000 to these families. However, the paperwork involved 
in processing them can be complicated and unnecessarily time-consuming 
involving months of delays. As unbelievable as it may sound, in order 
to be approved, the victims' families are required to provide autopsy 
reports and proof that he or she did not suffer from a preexisting 
injury that may have contributed to their death.
  When this legislation is passed, the families of these victims will 
not have to endure this heart-wrenching process. Instead, once the 
Federal Government has certified that the public safety officer has 
gone down in the line of duty, the victim's family will automatically 
receive their benefit. There will be no bureaucratic or unnecessary 
delays in this process.
  In Arlington County, I am proud to say that countless numbers of 
people have assisted in the Herculean effort to rescue the victims of 
the Pentagon disaster. When I called to ask for a specific number of 
officers injured in the line of duty, I was told those figures were not 
available because of the outpouring of assistance. Officers from all 
over the area have been rushing to help without bothering to sign in or 
be accounted for.
  By passing this legislation today, we will help ensure that victims' 
families will not have to needlessly suffer should the very worst 
happen.
  Mr. Speaker, more public safety officers were lost in the attack on 
the United States Tuesday than any other single event in modern 
history. Expediting assistance is one small way we can help families 
cope with this loss and take advantage of this benefit without undue 
burden or delays. Without question, more needs to be done in response 
to Tuesday's cataclysmic events, but this is a good first step in 
helping some of the victims' families; and I urge my colleagues to 
unanimously support this legislation.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am not a New Yorker, but what happened at the World 
Trade Center in New York could have happened anyplace in the country, 
because terrorism knows no boundaries. It could have happened in 
Milwaukee or San Francisco or Atlanta or anyplace else.
  Americans throughout our land, as well as people around the world, 
witnessed in horror what unfolded on Tuesday morning. First one 
building was hit, then a second building was hit, then both of the 
buildings collapsed, and there were hundreds or thousands of people who 
were in them.

[[Page H5602]]

  But over and above everything, the public safety officers in New 
York, the firefighters and the police officers, were unflinching in 
doing their duty, which was to try to save lives and to protect 
property. Over 200 of them are now reported as missing and presumed 
dead. We could be talking about the Milwaukee police and fire 
department or San Francisco police and fire department or the police 
and fire department of any community in the country, but New York was 
the city that was hit.
  It is our responsibility to make sure that the families of the fallen 
receive the benefits that the Federal Government has extended to them 
for over 30 years as quickly and as promptly as possible. They will 
suffer enough pain with the loss of their loved ones. They should not 
be financially strapped because paperwork does not get done quickly.
  This bill is the right thing to do. It is the right thing to do for 
New York today, and it would be the right thing to do for public safety 
officers who perish in large numbers as a result of a tragedy anyplace 
else in the country at any time in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WEINER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my thanks to the chairman, the gentleman 
from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), and all of the Members of this body 
who have demonstrated their support, and to all of their constituents 
throughout this country who have been deluging New Yorkers with their 
demonstrations of support. The stand we take here on behalf of 
firefighters is done so on behalf of all Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield the balance of my time 
to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), the sponsor of the bill, 
for the purpose of allocating time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) 
and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner). I have just returned from 
spending time with my fellow New Yorkers to introduce this legislation.
  I must say, when I was going up to New York from Washington, going up 
by train, usually the first thing I see 20 miles away is the World 
Trade Center, the twin towers, and it gives me a good feeling, like a 
welcome home. This week, going up on the train from 20 miles away, no 
twin towers, no World Trade Center, only a huge plume of smoke 
stretching down the Jersey shore, and my guts felt like they were being 
torn out.

                              {time}  1200

  I take no pride in introducing this legislation, and if ever there 
were a bill I drafted I wish were not needed, this would be it.
  Like so many Americans, I wait to hear from friends and colleagues 
who were in lower Manhattan when tragedy struck early Tuesday morning. 
With each passing hour, hope wanes; and we cannot help but feel more 
empty inside.
  But through all of this death and destruction, there are some 
glimmers of hope. All across this country, men, women and children are 
coming together, to volunteer their services, to donate supplies, and 
to donate their blood, and even in many countries abroad. Even more 
moving are the numerous accounts witnesses have relayed of the heroic 
and fearless actions of the region's firefighters and police officers 
as they rushed up to the inferno that the World Trade Center had become 
as thousands of civilians rushed out. Putting the safety and well-being 
of others well above their own, public safety officers performed the 
most courageous acts; but, sadly, probably about 300 New York City 
firefighters and EMS workers and EMT volunteers and people paid with 
their lives as well as 60 or 70 New York City and Port Authority police 
officers.
  According to the International Association of Firefighters, more 
public safety officers were lost in this attack on the United States 
than any other single event in modern history. In New York City, we 
normally lose four to five firefighters in a year. On one day, on 
Tuesday, we lost about 300.
  When a public safety officer dies in the line of duty, his or her 
family receives a one-time benefit payment. The paperwork involved, 
unfortunately, is often long, arduous and time consuming. Just as our 
public safety officers stand up for us, we must now stand up for them 
in this time of tragedy. This legislation directs the Department of 
Justice to expedite the payment process for the families of those 
affected by Tuesday's events. Expediting assistance is one small way we 
can help families cope with this tragic loss and take advantage of this 
important benefit without undue burdens or delays. Of course, much more 
needs to be done in response to Tuesday's events. I stand ready to work 
with all of my colleagues to address this crisis in a timely and 
comprehensive manner.
  I urge all my colleagues to vote for this legislation as the first 
step. We will take other steps. This country will make the criminals 
who committed this act of war against the United States and against 
civilization rue the day they were born. But this is our first step. I 
thank my colleagues.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Owens).
  (Mr. OWENS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge all of my colleagues to 
join us in taking this step that Members of Congress can take. There 
are a lot of things we cannot do. I am proud of the fact that so many 
Americans have responded in doing the things that they can do. They can 
give blood, and they are giving blood from all over the country. You 
can do that.
  There are some things that we can do in Congress without having 
additional information, without a great deal of planning. We can make 
it easier for those who have paid the supreme price, for the families 
of those who have paid the supreme price, to at least know certain 
things are taken care of while they contend with their own grieving.
  The stories are numerous of eyewitness accounts. One that stands out 
in my mind most is the one, and I have been riveted to the television 
and heard many of them, the account of the young man on the 85th floor 
who came down the steps. He said that the biggest difficulty they 
encountered was at the 34th floor when they encountered firemen who 
were coming up and who were so exhausted because of the gear they were 
carrying until one of them almost passed out. They stopped to help the 
firemen. They were going out. And I think that those who gave those 
accounts got out safely, but I am certain that the firemen they 
encountered are among those firemen who perished there.
  That kind of heroism, we should all salute and support by taking the 
steps that we can take here in Congress to make life as easy as 
possible for their families.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, in what may very well be remembered as our 
Nation's most deplorable tragedy, our American family has stood firm. 
Amid the carnage and the destruction, amongst the pain and the anguish, 
our public safety officers performed their duties the way no fictional 
hero in Hollywood could dare imagine. Our police officers and 
firefighters, EMTs, along with countless other Americans in support 
roles are always there for us. Let us make sure that we, as their 
family, are there for them. Fire officials have said that over 300 
firefighters are currently missing or dead. Dozens of police officers 
and other emergency workers are still unaccounted for. The Port 
Authority of New York and New Jersey has said it has lost so many 
employees.
  To my buddies in the New York fire department and to my friends in 
the New York police department, we share in your grief. God only knows 
what else we will hear in the days ahead. God only knows how many 
children will arrive home only to discover that their brave mother or 
father has perished while serving their country. Let us make sure that 
these families are served by us, not only with our undying admiration 
and appreciation but also with our tangible support.

[[Page H5603]]

  I implore my colleagues to support the gentleman from New York's 
bill. Payment to the families of public safety officers lost in the 
line of duty, our first defenders, should be mandatory. Now is not the 
time for long and time-consuming paperwork. Now is not the time for 
these families in their time of crisis and need to worry about their 
finances. Let us do right by our American family. Let us ensure that 
the Public Safety Officer Program operates effectively and efficiently.
  On behalf of all of my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, I want to say thank 
you to all of those who have served on this most solemn of tragedies. 
We are with you. We are with America, our family.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, let me begin by again thanking the gentleman from 
Wisconsin for helping to expedite this bill so that it is before us 
today and hopefully will pass this body and the other body also today. 
Secondly, Mr. Speaker, I want to make clear, I want to emphasize that 
this legislation, one of the good points about it is that it makes the 
funds that are necessary available immediately as an entitlement not 
subject to appropriations, so we do not have to worry about the 
appropriation process.
  Thirdly, Mr. Speaker, I want to express my confidence that the 
Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury will join the 
Congress in treating the families of these heroic public servants, 
these heroic police officers, fire officers and emergency medical 
technicians and so forth, in treating their families with the respect 
they are due from a grateful Nation and will speed the help that they 
need and deserve as quickly and as painlessly as possible.
  Having said that, Mr. Speaker, let me again simply say that I regret 
that I was not on the floor yesterday to speak or vote on the 
resolution. I was up in New York in my district which includes the 
World Trade Center dealing with some of the problems, some of the 
people, and touring the site. It is a gut-wrenching site. But let me 
express my confidence that New York and the United States will recover 
from this. We are a resilient people. We will recover from this. We 
will build anew. The terrorists who did this, the nations behind them, 
will pay a heavy price, and this act of war will not go unpunished. And 
we will wage war until this scourge of terrorism is eradicated from the 
face of our planet.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this bill. I thank the body.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Nadler) for recognizing this paperwork problem and drafting legislation 
to cut the red tape and to make sure that these payments are made to 
the appropriate beneficiaries in the earliest possible manner.
  Let me tell the Justice and Treasury Departments that if I hear of 
any delay in expediting these payments, I am going to be all over their 
back just as the gentleman from New York and other Members of this 
House will be on their back as well. This has to be a priority, and 
this Congress is stating that this has to be a priority through the 
passage of this bill today.
  I am very pleased to support the efforts of the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Nadler). And I am supporting it because I am an American and 
because this is the right thing to do.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in the utmost support 
of H.R. 2882. This legislation is designed to assure expedited payments 
of benefits to public safety officers who were killed or suffered 
injuries in the line of duty while responding to the terrorist attacks 
of September 11, 2001.
  It is centrally important that this nation proceed hand in hand with 
the rule of law while confronting this catastrophe. We must assure, 
above all else, that our actions are not those of a vengeful nation. 
Instead, we must act with the conviction and certainty that the laws 
created under our Constitution allow.
  In order to accomplish this goal, we must make sure that we pay 
adequate attention to the human issues involved in this tragedy. By 
assuring that the officers whom we have praised for their selflessness 
and contributions to stability receive the benefits they deserve in the 
most expeditious manner possible, we demonstrate our deep gratitude for 
their efforts.
  The legislature respects the rule of law by facilitating the civility 
of the Federal government toward those citizens we rely on in times of 
crisis. H.R. 2882 also pays homage to the legacies of those fallen 
public safety officers by making it easier for their spouses and family 
members to collect the benefits they are entitled to.
  Many of the brave men and women who were first to respond to the 
events at the World Trade Center are no longer here to witness the 
cheers of citizens urging service personnel on to find their friends 
and loved ones. They are not among us to hear the pronouncements and 
salutations world leaders have provided recognizing their supreme 
sacrifice. This legislation ensures that these statements are not empty 
gestures. It places the priority of thee fallen citizens--to provide 
safety and security for their families and friends--at the forefront of 
our remembrance.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation, and I am proud 
that this Congress has chosen to move so quickly to assure these 
families receive the support they deserve.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2882, the 
Public Safety Officer Benefit Bill.
  Several hundred fire, police and rescue personnel lost their lives on 
Tuesday, September 11th simply doing their jobs: protecting the lives 
of New Yorkers. This legislation, today, will enable us to provide the 
families of these heroes with some small compensation for the lose of 
their loved one. While we can never give them back the sister, or 
husband or brother or son that they lost, at least we can spare them 
the indignity of having to produce mountains of paperwork in order to 
obtain this benefit.
  Today's bill is an excellent improvement to current law and I would 
urge my colleagues to wholeheartedly support it.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker I rise today in full support of H.R. 2882 
expeditiing payments to the families of the brave public safety 
officers killed or injured in the line of duty during the heinous acts 
of terrorism against the United States which occurred on September 11, 
2001. Our nation owes these heroic men and women our deepest gratitude 
and we extend to their families our sincerest and heartfelt sorrow for 
their loss. As our Nation stoically comes to grips with the shocking 
enormity of these attacks, our brave public safety officers remain on 
the front line of the massive search and rescue efforts underway. They 
are leading the tireless search for our fellow citizens and for their 
fallen comrades. At this time of national tragedy, let us acknowledge 
the ongoing sacrifices that our Nation's brave public safety officers 
continue to selflessly endure in the name of freedom and humanity. And 
may the ultimate sacrifice of their comrades never be forgotten. We 
pray for the safety of our public safety officers and the safe return 
of their fellow officers who remain missing. I urge my colleagues to 
fully support this bill.
  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important 
legislation that will provide much needed assistance to the brave men 
and women who have been leading our search and rescue efforts.
  The tragic violence of two days ago has been a test of our resolve 
and our determination as a nation. We have more than met this test--we 
have passed it with flying colors, showing our enemies that we will not 
succumb to their messages of hatred, of violence, and of fear. All 
across American, we have witnessed proud displays of patriotism, 
courage, and compassion at prayer vigils and blood drives, through 
words of encouragement and individual acts of heroism.
  No one has displayed this incredible bravery and selflessness like 
the fire, rescue, and police personnel that have put their lives on the 
line in the hopes of saving those who were the victims of these heinous 
attacks. From all corners of our great nation, volunteers are pouring 
into Western Pennsylvania, New York City, and Arlington, Virginia to 
aid their fellow public safety workers and to keep the rescue efforts 
going around the clock. Regrettably, many of these same men and women 
are among the lists of those that we have lost or that are missing. Our 
hearts go out to their families, who have made a tremendous sacrifice 
so that others might live.
  Mr. Speaker, we can and should do all that we can to provide aid and 
comfort to these heroes and to the families that have suffered loss in 
the line of duty. H.R. 2882 is the very least we can do for them. It 
will expedite payments for those that are killed or suffered a 
catastrophic illness as a result of their actions here. It cannot 
replace the father, son, or husband that is killed; it cannot mend the 
extraordinary physical and mental harm they endure; but it can ease at 
least one aspect of this horrible experience.
  Our first responders are our front line defense to violence on our 
shores. These brave men and women have made us all proud and

[[Page H5604]]

lifted our hearts during this trying time. Their heroic acts remind us 
that the soul of America is vibrant and strong. I am proud to do my 
part to support them today. I urge my colleagues to make passage of 
this legislation unanimous.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
this resolution offered by the gentleman of New York, Mr. Nadler.
  As this week's horrific events unfolded, I watched brave 
firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel risking their lives 
to save others.
  I watched hospitals prepare for the wounded and our armed forces go 
on high alert.
  I watched a stricken nation respond by rushing to donate blood and 
volunteer their time to help the injured. These are acts of honor and 
bravery that no barbaric act of violence can penetrate.
  Unfortunately, many of our brave rescue personnel perished in the 
line of duty.
  My condolences and prayers go out to the families for the loss of 
their loved ones.
  To those people, let me say I've witnessed firsthand how individuals 
come together in a moment of crisis, and I can assure you the country 
will be there for you in your time of need.
  That is why I urge members to support this important resolution and 
help families cope with their tragic loss, and take advantage of the 
Federal Public Safety Officer Benefit program without delay.
  These families deserve no less in their time of grief.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 
bill, H.R. 2882.
  The Nation's first responders--the firefighters, emergency medical 
personnel, and police--are the first to arrive at the scene, and the 
last to leave.
  As the Nation mourns the deaths of hundreds, and probably thousands, 
of our fellow citizens, as we take stock of the destruction caused by 
Tuesday's terrorist attacks, we should also pause for a moment to 
reflect on the brave men and women who put their lives on the line 
every day, in every small town and suburb and big city across the 
country.
  In passing H.R. 2882, we help ease the burden the families of these 
fallen heroes deserve. These brave men and women gave their lives in 
the line of duty in one of the most tragic events in our Nation's 
history. It has been reported that over 250 New York firefighters, 
emergency medical personnel, and police officers may have perished at 
the World Trade Center.
  We cannot bring these people back, but we can ensure that those who 
survive them do not have to endure excessive paperwork to receive the 
benefits they deserve through the selflessness and sacrifice of their 
loved ones.
  Many people would not be alive today if it were not for the bravery 
and sacrifice of these first responders. In one of the country's 
darkest hours, they kept faith with their colleagues, with those in 
need, with their country, and for that they paid the ultimate price. We 
have an obligation to ensure that their families get the support they 
need, and quickly, so that they can pick up the threads of their lives.
  The Nation's first responders represent the very best of America, and 
we owe them and their families a debt of profound gratitude. Passing 
H.R. 2882 is the least we can do to bring some comfort to the families 
of these fallen heroes. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). Pursuant to the order of 
the House of today, the bill is considered read for amendment, and the 
previous question is ordered.
  The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 413, 
nays 0, not voting 17, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 339]

                               YEAS--413

     Abercrombie
     Ackerman
     Aderholt
     Akin
     Allen
     Andrews
     Armey
     Baca
     Bachus
     Baird
     Baker
     Baldacci
     Baldwin
     Ballenger
     Barcia
     Barr
     Barrett
     Bartlett
     Barton
     Bass
     Becerra
     Bentsen
     Bereuter
     Berkley
     Berman
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bilirakis
     Bishop
     Blagojevich
     Blumenauer
     Blunt
     Boehlert
     Boehner
     Bonilla
     Bonior
     Bono
     Borski
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Brady (TX)
     Brown (FL)
     Brown (OH)
     Brown (SC)
     Bryant
     Burr
     Burton
     Buyer
     Callahan
     Calvert
     Camp
     Cannon
     Cantor
     Capito
     Capps
     Capuano
     Cardin
     Carson (IN)
     Carson (OK)
     Castle
     Chabot
     Chambliss
     Clay
     Clayton
     Clement
     Clyburn
     Coble
     Collins
     Combest
     Condit
     Cooksey
     Costello
     Cox
     Coyne
     Cramer
     Crane
     Crenshaw
     Crowley
     Cubin
     Culberson
     Cummings
     Cunningham
     Davis (CA)
     Davis (FL)
     Davis, Jo Ann
     Davis, Tom
     Deal
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delahunt
     DeLauro
     DeLay
     DeMint
     Deutsch
     Diaz-Balart
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Dooley
     Doolittle
     Doyle
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Dunn
     Edwards
     Ehlers
     Ehrlich
     Emerson
     Engel
     English
     Eshoo
     Etheridge
     Evans
     Everett
     Farr
     Fattah
     Ferguson
     Filner
     Flake
     Fletcher
     Foley
     Forbes
     Ford
     Frank
     Frelinghuysen
     Frost
     Gallegly
     Ganske
     Gekas
     Gephardt
     Gibbons
     Gilchrest
     Gillmor
     Gilman
     Gonzalez
     Goode
     Goodlatte
     Gordon
     Goss
     Graham
     Granger
     Graves
     Green (TX)
     Green (WI)
     Greenwood
     Grucci
     Gutierrez
     Gutknecht
     Hall (OH)
     Hall (TX)
     Hansen
     Harman
     Hart
     Hastings (FL)
     Hastings (WA)
     Hayes
     Hayworth
     Hefley
     Herger
     Hill
     Hilleary
     Hilliard
     Hinchey
     Hinojosa
     Hobson
     Hoeffel
     Hoekstra
     Holden
     Holt
     Honda
     Hooley
     Horn
     Hostettler
     Houghton
     Hoyer
     Hulshof
     Hunter
     Hyde
     Inslee
     Isakson
     Israel
     Issa
     Istook
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson-Lee (TX)
     Jefferson
     Jenkins
     John
     Johnson (CT)
     Johnson (IL)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Johnson, Sam
     Jones (NC)
     Jones (OH)
     Kanjorski
     Kaptur
     Keller
     Kennedy (MN)
     Kennedy (RI)
     Kerns
     Kildee
     Kind (WI)
     King (NY)
     Kingston
     Kirk
     Kleczka
     Knollenberg
     Kolbe
     Kucinich
     LaFalce
     LaHood
     Lampson
     Langevin
     Lantos
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Latham
     LaTourette
     Leach
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis (CA)
     Lewis (GA)
     Lewis (KY)
     Linder
     LoBiondo
     Lofgren
     Lowey
     Lucas (KY)
     Lucas (OK)
     Luther
     Maloney (CT)
     Manzullo
     Markey
     Mascara
     Matheson
     Matsui
     McCarthy (MO)
     McCarthy (NY)
     McCollum
     McCrery
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McHugh
     McInnis
     McIntyre
     McKinney
     McNulty
     Meehan
     Meek (FL)
     Menendez
     Mica
     Millender-McDonald
     Miller (FL)
     Miller, Gary
     Miller, George
     Mink
     Mollohan
     Moore
     Moran (KS)
     Moran (VA)
     Morella
     Murtha
     Myrick
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Nethercutt
     Ney
     Northup
     Norwood
     Nussle
     Oberstar
     Obey
     Olver
     Osborne
     Ose
     Otter
     Owens
     Oxley
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Pastor
     Paul
     Payne
     Pelosi
     Pence
     Peterson (MN)
     Peterson (PA)
     Petri
     Phelps
     Pickering
     Pitts
     Platts
     Pombo
     Pomeroy
     Portman
     Price (NC)
     Pryce (OH)
     Putnam
     Quinn
     Radanovich
     Rahall
     Ramstad
     Regula
     Rehberg
     Reyes
     Reynolds
     Riley
     Rivers
     Rodriguez
     Roemer
     Rogers (KY)
     Rogers (MI)
     Rohrabacher
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Ross
     Rothman
     Roukema
     Roybal-Allard
     Rush
     Ryan (WI)
     Ryun (KS)
     Sabo
     Sanchez
     Sanders
     Sandlin
     Sawyer
     Schaffer
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schrock
     Scott
     Sensenbrenner
     Serrano
     Sessions
     Shadegg
     Shaw
     Shays
     Sherman
     Sherwood
     Shimkus
     Shows
     Shuster
     Simmons
     Simpson
     Skeen
     Skelton
     Slaughter
     Smith (MI)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Smith (WA)
     Snyder
     Solis
     Souder
     Spratt
     Stark
     Stearns
     Stenholm
     Strickland
     Stump
     Stupak
     Sununu
     Sweeney
     Tancredo
     Tanner
     Tauscher
     Tauzin
     Taylor (MS)
     Terry
     Thomas
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Thornberry
     Thune
     Thurman
     Tiahrt
     Tiberi
     Tierney
     Toomey
     Towns
     Traficant
     Turner
     Udall (CO)
     Udall (NM)
     Upton
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Vitter
     Walden
     Walsh
     Wamp
     Waters
     Watkins (OK)
     Watson (CA)
     Watts (OK)
     Waxman
     Weiner
     Weldon (FL)
     Weldon (PA)
     Weller
     Wexler
     Whitfield
     Wicker
     Wilson
     Wolf
     Woolsey
     Wu
     Wynn
     Young (FL)

                             NOT VOTING--17

     Conyers
     Davis (IL)
     Fossella
     Kelly
     Kilpatrick
     Largent
     Lipinski
     Maloney (NY)
     McKeon
     Meeks (NY)
     Ortiz
     Rangel
     Royce
     Saxton
     Taylor (NC)
     Watt (NC)
     Young (AK)

                              {time}  1236

  Mr. BECERRA and Mr. STARK changed their vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.''
  So the bill was passed.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
  Stated for:
  Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the 
vote on H.R.

[[Page H5605]]

2882. Had I been able to return from the Pentagon, I would have voted 
in strong support for H.R. 2882, to expedite relief for the families of 
law enforcement officers lost in this terrible tragedy.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 339 I was unavoidably 
detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

                          ____________________