[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H1710-H1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS'
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 347) authorizing the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 347
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring),
SECTION 1. USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE
OFFICERS' MEMORIAL SERVICE.
(a) In General.--The National Fraternal Order of Police and
its auxiliary (in this resolution referred to as the
``sponsor'') shall be permitted to sponsor a public event,
the 21st annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service (in
this resolution jointly referred to as the ``event''), on the
Capitol Grounds, in order to honor the law enforcement
officers who died in the line of duty during 2001.
(b) Date of Event.--The event shall be held on May 15,
2002, or on such other date as the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate jointly designate.
SEC. 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
(a) In General.--Under conditions to be prescribed by the
Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board, the
event shall be--
(1) free of admission charge and open to the public; and
(2) arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress.
(b) Expenses and Liabilities.--The sponsor shall assume
full responsibility for all expenses and liabilities incident
to all activities associated with the event.
SEC. 3. EVENT PREPARATIONS.
Subject to the approval of the Architect of the Capitol,
the sponsor is authorized to erect upon the Capitol Grounds
such stage, sound amplification devices, and other related
structures and equipment, as may be required for the event.
SEC. 4. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS.
The Capitol Police Board shall provide for enforcement of
the restrictions contained in section 4 of the Act of July
31, 1946 (40 U.S.C. 193d; 60 Stat. 718), concerning sales,
advertisements, displays, and solicitations on the Capitol
Grounds, as well as other restrictions applicable to the
Capitol Grounds, in connection with the event.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) and the gentlewoman from the District of
Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs.
Capito).
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 347 authorizes the use of
the Capitol Grounds for the 21st Annual National Peace Officers'
Memorial Service to be held on May 15, 2002.
In 2001, over 230 Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers
were killed in the line of duty protecting and serving our Nation. The
officers remembered in this service represent the risk involved in
civilian protection, as well as the selflessness necessary to perform
their duties. This memorial service will honor the courage and
commitment of these men and women.
The memorial service will be one part of the annual Police Week,
which is sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Fund. This week of special events always occurs during the calendar
week in which the National Peace Officers Memorial Day falls.
The week features such events as the Eighth Annual Blue Mass at St.
Patrick's Catholic Church, the National Police Challenge 50K relay, the
7th Annual Motorcycle Dice Ride, the Seventh Annual Law Ride, the 14th
Annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers'
Memorial, the Fraternal Order of Police and Auxiliary Wreath-laying
Ceremony, and the
[[Page H1711]]
memorial service authorized by this resolution.
I am proud and honored to bring this bipartisan resolution to the
floor. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution,
which honors the many brave men and women of law enforcement who gave
their lives in the line of duty to make America a safer place to live
and work. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 347 authorizes the use of
the Capitol Grounds for the 21st Annual National Peace Officers'
Memorial Service, a most solemn and respectful public event honoring
our Nation's brave civil servants. The event, scheduled for May 15,
will be coordinated with the Office of the Architect of the Capitol and
the Capitol Hill Police.
I strongly support this tribute to Federal, State, and local police
who gave their lives in the daily work of protecting our families, our
homes, our places of work, and us. Over 230 brave men and women were
killed in the line of duty during 2001. Included in that number are the
72 officers who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
On average, one officer is killed in this country every other day,
approximately 23,000 are injured every year, and thousands are
assaulted going about their daily routines.
During 2001, 219 policemen and 11 policewomen were killed. The
average age of those killed was 38 years, and they had an average of
11.7 years of service. The youngest was 21 years old and the oldest was
78 years. Their years of service range from being a rookie to 38 years.
Today, peace officers often must keep the peace even in the homeland,
as we saw on September 11, especially here in the District of Columbia.
They must be prepared for the unimagined, not only to prevent crime but
to prevent disaster, biological and terror.
Mr. Speaker, the ceremony to be held on May 15 is the 21st
anniversary of this memorial service. Consistent with all Capitol Hill
events, the memorial service will be free and open to the public.
I support the resolution, and I urge my colleagues to join me in
supporting this tribute to our fallen peace officers.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 347 and
urge my colleagues to join me in support of this important resolution,
which authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace
Officers' Memorial Service on May 15, 2002.
President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers'
Memorial Day. Each year on this date we, as a Nation, have an
opportunity to honor the dedication and devotion of our Nation's peace
officers. This May will mark the 21st anniversary of the Memorial
Service on the Capitol Grounds. The tragic events of September 11 have
reminded us of the great personal sacrifices that our Nation's peace
officers make in order to serve the public. Their selflessness has
become a model of American strength and courage.
There are approximately 700,000 sworn law enforcement officers
serving the American public today. During 2001, more than 230 peace
officers were killed in the line of duty, of those killed, eleven were
women. The average age of those killed in the line of duty was 38
years. The youngest officer killed was 21; the oldest was 78.
It is most fitting and proper to honor the lives, sacrifices, and
public service of our brave peace officers.
I urge support for H. Con. Res. 347.
Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 347 authorizes use of the
Capitol Grounds for the 21st annual National Peace Officers Memorial
Service--a most solemn and respectful service. As a former law
enforcement official, this ceremony has a special meaning to me, and I
strongly support this resolution that honors the police officers, 230
brave men and women, who gave their lives in the daily work of
protecting our families and us.
On average, one officer is killed in this country every other day,
approximately 23,000 are injured every year, and thousands are
assaulted going about their daily routines.
During last year very devoted, heroic officers from the ranks of
State, local and Federal service were killed in the line of duty--219
men, and 11 women were killed. The average age of those killed was 38
years, and they had an average of 11.7 years in service.
In my State of Illinois 7 brave police officers dies in the line of
duty during 2001--At this time I would like to read their names into
the Record:
Myron Deckard--Vermillion County, Illinois
Stanley Talbor--Illinois State Police
Brian T. Strause--Chicago
Kevin Rice, Sr.--Rockford
Eric D. Lee--Chicago
Donan J. Faulkner, Jr.--Peoria
Hector A. Silva--Chicago
Mr. Speaker, the ceremony to be held on May 15 is the 21st
anniversary of this memorial service. I support the resolution and urge
my colleagues to join me in supporting this tribute to our fallen Peace
Officers.
Mrs. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 347.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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