[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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