[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S3573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 255--TO DESIGNATE THE WEEK BEGINNING MAY 5, 2002, AS 
         ``NATIONAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES WEEK''

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Hatch, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Reid, Mrs. 
Boxer, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Cleland, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Thomas, 
Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Jeffords, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Roberts, Mr. 
Feingold, Mr. Helms, Mr. Sarbanes, and Mr. Akaka) submitted the 
following resolution, which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary.

                              S. Res. 255

       Whereas the operation of correctional facilities represents 
     a crucial component of our criminal justice system;
       Whereas correctional personnel play a vital role in 
     protecting the rights of the public to be safeguarded from 
     criminal activity;
       Whereas correctional personnel are responsible for the 
     care, custody, and dignity of the human beings charged to 
     their care; and
       Whereas correctional personnel work under demanding 
     circumstances and face danger in their daily work lives: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, 

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND 
                   EMPLOYEES WEEK.

       That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning May 5, 2002, as 
     ``National Correctional Officers and Employees Week''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe the 
     week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
honoring our Nation's correctional officers and employees. This 
resolution reaffirms our support for the more than 200,000 corrections 
professionals who work in the face of danger while monitoring and 
reforming criminals and maintaining the safety of our communities.
  I am pleased that Senators Hatch, Stabenow, Reid, Boxer, Kennedy, 
Cleland, Cantwell, Wyden, Thomas, Bingaman, Domenici, Jeffords, Murray, 
Roberts, Feingold, Helms, Sarbanes, and Akaka have joined me in 
submitting this resolution today.
  The job of correctional officers and employees is a dangerous, and 
often thankless, one. Most of us leave for work knowing that we will 
return home safe and sound at the end of the day. But, corrections 
personnel are not afforded this luxury. They put their lives on the 
line every time they begin a shift.
  Tragically, many correctional officers have been permanently injured 
or killed in the line of duty. In all, more than 361 correctional 
officers and employees have died while on duty. This year, we honor 
nine: John Burkett III, Wayne Mitchell, James Salvino, Gregory Collins, 
George Turner, Richard Huffman, Virgil Reel, Timothy Williams, and 
Rodney Welch, whom we lost during the past year. We must not forget the 
sacrifices made by these heroic individuals for our public safety.
  These courageous officers all died while performing the normal day-
to-day tasks their jobs asked of them. Whether they died transporting 
inmates or responding to disturbances within their facilities, their 
loss reminds us of the many brave acts that take place daily among 
correctional officers and employees.
  Since prison security never rests, officers work all hours of the day 
and night, weekends, and even holidays. But, corrections professionals 
do much more than just watch over prisoners. They also play an 
important role in reforming them and in lowering recidivism rates. 
Through literacy programs and vocational training, they work hard to 
transform offenders into productive, law-abiding members of society, 
which is sometimes no easy task.
  The efforts of America's correctional officers and employees to make 
our world a better, safer place too often go unnoticed. Few of us can 
truly appreciate the perils faced daily by these courageous public 
servants. We not only owe them our recognition, but our gratitude as 
well. To that end, I am pleased to offer this resolution to designate 
the week beginning May 5, 2002, as National Correctional Officers and 
Employees Week, and to honor and acknowledge their diligence and 
dedication to our public safety.

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