[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 59 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NATIONAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM HOLDEN

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2002

  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to all 
correctional officers and to honor the Week of May 5th as National 
Correctional Officers and Employees Week. Correctional officers play an 
imperative role in my Congressional District and throughout the 
country.
  FBI Schuylkill, SCI Frackville, and SCI Mahanoy, as well as three 
county prisons, are six of the most critical employers in my district. 
The men and women who work at these facilities have the awesome 
responsibility of protecting my constituents and the public from 
inmates.
  Correctional employees also have the important job of overseeing the 
rehabilitation of prisoners. They lead prisoners back into the 
community, supervising the construction of such things like recreation 
areas and baseball fields for children.
  As the former sheriff of Schuylkill County, I worked hand-in-hand 
with the men and women who worked at the correctional facilities. No 
group of people understands the rigors and challenges of law 
enforcement greater than those who work in correctional facilities.
  I would also like to pay tribute to the New York Corrections 
Department. On September 11, these men and women rushed to the scene of 
the World Trade Center tragedy to help evacuate the victims, once again 
proving the vital role correctional officers play in their communities.
  Every day correctional officers go to work they face more danger than 
some of us face in our whole lives. It is a great honor to recognize 
these men and women and to recognize the Week of May 5th as National 
Correctional Officers and Employees Week.

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