[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 30 (Friday, March 15, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1982-S1983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEDICATION AND SACRIFICE MADE BY 
                        LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to Calendar No. 327, S. Res. 221.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 221) to commemorate and acknowledge 
     the dedication and sacrifice made by the men and women who 
     have lost their lives while serving as law enforcement 
     officers.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of 
this resolution to honor our Federal, State, and local law enforcement 
officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our public safety. I 
commend Senator Campbell for his leadership in submitting Senate 
Resolution 221, which recognizes May 15, 2002, as Peace Officers 
Memorial Day, in honor of Federal, State, and local officers killed or 
disabled in the line of duty.
  I want to recognize the other cosponsors of this resolution: Senators 
Hatch, Biden, DeWine, Cantwell, Allard, Allen, Bingaman, Bunning, 
Cochran, Gregg, Hutchinson, Rockefeller, and Thomas.
  Since my time as a State prosecutor, I have always taken a keen 
interest in law enforcement in Vermont and around the country. Vermont 
has the reputation of being one of the safest States in which to live, 
work and visit,

[[Page S1983]]

and rightly so. In no small part, this is due to the hard work of those 
who have sworn to serve and protect us, and we should do what we can to 
honor them and their families.
  Our Nation's law enforcement officers numbering more than 700,000 men 
and women--put their lives at risk in the line of duty everyday. No one 
knows when danger will appear and what form it will take. 
Unfortunately, in today's violent world, even pulling over a driver for 
speeding may not necessarily be ``routine.'' The events of the past 
year and the ensuing relentless vigilance on the part of our peace 
officers in guarding against further such attacks have proven this.
  Guardians of the peace face more risks than ever in these times. All 
law enforcement officers across the Nation deserve our heartfelt 
respect and appreciation on Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
and preamble be agreed to, en bloc; that the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table; and that any statements relating to the resolution 
be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 221) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 221

       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 70 peace officers died at the World Trade Center in 
     New York City on September 11, 2001, the most peace officers 
     ever killed in a single incident in the history of the 
     Nation;
       Whereas more than 220 peace officers across the Nation were 
     killed in the line of duty during 2001, 57 percent more 
     police fatalities than the previous year, and the deadliest 
     year for the law enforcement community since 1974;
       Whereas every year, 1 out of every 9 peace officers is 
     assaulted, 1 out of every 25 peace officers is injured, and 1 
     out of every 4,400 peace officers is killed in the line of 
     duty; and
       Whereas on May 15, 2002, more than 15,000 peace officers 
     are expected to gather in Washington, D.C. 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, 2002, 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.

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