[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 76 (Tuesday, June 11, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H3311-H3314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING AND ACKNOWLEDGING DEDICATION AND SACRIFICE MADE BY MEN 
      AND WOMEN KILLED OR DISABLED WHILE SERVING AS PEACE OFFICERS

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 406) commemorating and 
acknowledging the dedication and sacrifice made by the men and women 
killed or disabled while serving as peace officers, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 406

       Whereas the well-being of all people 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 law enforcement personnel, at 
     great risk to their personal safety, 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, which represents 57 
     percent more police fatalities than the previous year and 
     makes 2001 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;
       Whereas section 136 of title 36, United States Code, 
     requests that the President issue each year a proclamation 
     designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of 
     Federal, State, and local officers killed or disabled 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 House--
       (1) honors Federal, State, and local peace officers killed 
     or disabled in the line of duty;
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of Peace Officers 
     Memorial Day; and
       (3) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     such a day with appropriate ceremonies and respect.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann 
Davis).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that

[[Page H3312]]

all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on H. Res. 406.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the House consider House Resolution 
406, important legislation introduced by my distinguished colleague, 
the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley). This resolution honors those 
peace officers who have been disabled or killed in the line of duty, 
and it supports the goals and ideal of Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  Mr. Speaker, engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers 
Memorial in Washington, D.C., is a verse from Proverbs 28:1: ``The 
wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are as bold as a 
lion.'' Today, over 740,000 sworn law enforcement personnel, which is 
the highest figure ever, live by that quotation from Proverbs. These 
740,000 men and women serve their communities and Nation as guardians 
of peace, often at great risk to their personal safety.
  The year 2001 was one of the deadliest years on record for law 
enforcement in the United States. The deaths occurred in a wide variety 
of circumstances, demonstrating that, no matter how routine an 
assignment might seem, a police officer's life may be at risk.
  The National Law Enforcement Memorial tells the story of those slain 
in the line of duty.
  The first fatality of 2001 occurred shortly after midnight on January 
1 when Tennessee State Trooper John Mann was struck and killed while 
struggling with a carjacker along an interstate highway.
  On September 11, 2001, more law enforcement officers were killed in a 
single incident than ever before in American history when 70 law 
enforcement officers died at the World Trade Center in New York City.
  The last law enforcement fatality in 2001 occurred on December 29 in 
Horry County, South Carolina. Lieutenant Randy Gerald of the Horry 
County Sheriff's Office stopped on his way home from work to assist a 
woman who was being assaulted at a rest stop. As he pulled up, the 
assailant walked over to Lieutenant Gerald's vehicle and shot him three 
times.
  Congress has recognized May 15 as the day on which all Americans 
should honor the dedicated men and women of law enforcement. On May 15, 
2002, over 15,000 law enforcement officers gathered here in our 
Nation's capital to join with the families of their recently fallen 
comrades to honor them and all others who went before them.
  We keep in our prayers those whose loved ones have fallen while 
serving as law enforcement officers. We keep in our prayers and thank 
those who work as law enforcement officers today.
  The National Law Enforcement Memorial has an engraved quote by the 
Roman orator and great public official, Tacitus: ``In valor . . . there 
is hope.''
  Mr. Speaker, those who work in law enforcement, and especially those 
who have sacrificed their lives, prove the truth of those words. We 
thank them for that.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the first recorded law enforcement fatality in the 
performance of duty occurred on May 17, 1792. The officer's name was 
Isaac Smith, a sheriff's deputy in New York City, who was shot to death 
while attempting to make an arrest. Since that time, more than 15,000 
other officers have been killed in the line of duty; and today, roughly 
740,000 officers continue to put their lives on the line for the 
safety, welfare, and protection of others.
  May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day, and it is fitting that this 
resolution honoring the men and women of this country who were killed 
or disabled while serving as law enforcement officers be brought before 
this body.
  September 11, 2001, provided a somber perspective of the importance 
of Peace Officers Memorial Day. In addition to the 70 law enforcement 
officers who died at the World Trade Center, another 158 officers died 
in the line of duty last year. Those 228 deaths represent the sixth 
deadliest year in law enforcement history in this country.
  The first fatality of 2001 occurred shortly after midnight on January 
1, when Tennessee State Trooper John Mann was struck and killed while 
struggling with a carjacker along an interstate highway.
  The 228th law enforcement fatality occurred on December 29 when 
Lieutenant Randy Gerald, a South Carolina sheriff, stopped on his way 
home from work to assist a woman who was being assaulted at a rest 
stop. As he pulled up, the assailant walked over to Lieutenant Gerald 
and shot him three times.
  These incidents, and countless others, bring to the forefront the 
sacrifice, acts of heroism and valor that police officers across the 
Nation perform every day. Their bravery and commitment to the job 
deserves to be remembered and revered, for it is obviously true that no 
greater gift can one give than to use his or her life for the safety 
and protection of others.
  I would urge all Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he 
may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), and I would 
like to thank him for introducing this important piece of legislation.
  Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. 
Jo Ann Davis) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for their 
support of this resolution. How could we not support this kind of a 
resolution? Where would our society be without those people who are 
willing to lay their lives on the line for us every day out there in 
the trenches of the front line?
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the peace officers from around the 
country, those who came to Washington last month to commemorate the 
deaths of over 230 peace officers last year and, particularly, to honor 
the memory of those 230 peace officers who gave their lives last year. 
Today, we pay tribute to the commitment, the sacrifice and public 
safety services peace officers have provided on a daily basis and 
continue to do so.
  As we all know, September 11 stands out as one of the most tragic 
days in American history. That fateful Tuesday we lost 72 police 
officers, the largest single loss of law enforcement personnel in a 
single day in the history of our country.
  While September 11 offered an extreme glimpse of law enforcement 
service and sacrifice, similar acts of heroism and valor are performed 
every day by police officers across our Nation; and the two speakers 
that preceded me illustrated some of those just in this 1 year, leading 
up to this day, less than a year, those who have died and lost their 
lives and given of themselves.
  In addition to the 72 officers that died on September 11, another 158 
officers died in the line of duty last year; and these 230 deaths 
represent the sixth deadliest year in law enforcement history, as has 
already been said.
  Peace officers in every community have an admirable record of service 
and sacrifice; yet too many Americans lack a true understanding and 
appreciation of law enforcement's worth. That is why I worked 2 years 
ago to help establish the National Law Enforcement Museum in 
Washington, D.C.; and once construction is completed, the museum will 
highlight the proud history of the law enforcement profession and 
educate the people about the dangers and the importance of this job.
  Unlike any other job, peace officers face unprecedented risks while 
bravely protecting our communities and our freedoms. I hope my 
colleagues will join with me today in paying tribute to our Nation's 
fallen officers and expressing our gratitude for the work that these 
men and women do day in and day out. While we are awake, while we are 
asleep, they are out there on the job.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as he might consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner).
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis) for yielding me the time.
  I thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley) for introducing this 
very

[[Page H3313]]

important resolution. I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo 
Ann Davis) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for their 
eloquent statements on behalf of law enforcement officers and how much 
they mean to our Nation.
  I rise today, though, to point out an irony and hope to get support 
from my colleagues for law enforcement officers in our Federal 
agencies.
  I hope that those who are on the floor today know that there are law 
enforcement officers throughout the Federal Government who protect us 
day and night. They may be in INS. They may be in U.S. Customs. They 
may be postal police. They may be police officers for the Veterans 
Administration. They work to protect our airports, the Library of 
Congress, the Supreme Court. They are members of the Bureau of Alcohol, 
Tobacco and Firearms.
  These are law enforcement officers who do not have law enforcement 
status in terms of their pay and their retirement benefits. Mr. 
Speaker, these are people who are trained to carry a weapon. They wear 
bulletproof vests. They have a badge. They face the risk every day that 
police officers in our cities and States have to face.
  I have watched mainly the inspectors at the U.S.-Mexico border in the 
district I represent in San Diego. I have watched members of the INS 
and U.S. Customs literally face death in confrontations with those who 
are trying to cross the border illegally or those who are trying to 
bring drugs and probably at some future point with terrorists; and yet 
I say again they are trained as law enforcement officers. They have the 
risk of law enforcement officers, but they do not have the status of 
law enforcement officers. That means that they do not get either the 
pay or the retirement benefits of those who are so classified.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. Speaker, we talk today about honoring our law enforcement 
officers, and how their names are engraved at the National Law 
Enforcement Memorial several blocks away. It is ironic that some of 
these people that I refer to in the Department of Customs or INS, their 
names are engraved on the Law Enforcement Memorial, and they are 
recognized as law enforcement officers when they died, but we do not 
recognize them as such when they are living when we should pay 
recognition to them.
  I hope those who are honoring our law enforcement officers today will 
look at H.R. 1841, the Law Enforcement Equity Act. It has over 180 
sponsors, Democrat and Republican, from all across the country. I think 
it is time as we think today of our peace officers and law enforcement 
officers all over this Nation who have died in the line of duty, as we 
recall September 11 and the bravery of our peace officers there, I 
think it is time to say to our officers throughout the Federal 
Government, let us recognize them, too. Let us classify, and take the 
training that they have been given and the risks that they face, and 
give them the status that they deserve. I hope as we all vote for this 
resolution on the floor, we will think about H.R. 1841, the Law 
Enforcement Equity Act, and move forward in those situations also.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, over 14,500 Federal, State, and local law enforcement 
officers have been killed in the line of duty since 1900. It is 
appropriate that the House and the people of the United States 
recognize the men and women who work as law enforcement officers.
  There are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and 
sisters, friends and neighbors, and they deserve this recognition. I 
urge all Members to support this resolution, as amended.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House 
Resolution 406 offered by the gentleman of Colorado, Mr. Hefley.
  Today, we honor some of our nation's most courageous citizens: local 
law enforcement officers. On September 11, 2001, many New York officers 
risked their lives to come to the rescue of those in crisis as the 
World Trade Towers came crashing down. And tragically, many of these 
courageous men and women perished.
  In the nine months since September 11, the world watched the United 
States recover. The remains of the World Trade Center have been cleared 
away, but the memory of tremendous heroism remained in the trying days, 
weeks, and months that followed. Our nation will never forget the brave 
law enforcement officers who selflessly answered the call to duty on 
that dark September day.
  Today, we honor law enforcement for their committed response to the 
September 11 terrorist attacks, but we also give tribute to our local 
officers for the important work and sacrifice they offer each and every 
day. In cities, towns and villages throughout our great nation, they 
protect Americans from violence and fight crime in our streets and 
schools. We depend on our community's law enforcement, not just times 
of great tragedy, but in our daily lives.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution and 
encourage all Americans to respect and honor the remarkable 
contributions of local law enforcement. They make our nation strong and 
proud.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, colleagues, and Representative Joel Hefley 
of Colorado for introducing House Resolution 406 to the floor.
  It is important that Congress, as well as all Americans' realize how 
much dedication peace keeping officers have. In the great tragedy of 
September 11th, 70 peace keeping officers made the ultimate sacrifice 
in the line of duty. This does not stop there however, this year there 
was a 57 percent rise in police fatalities than the previous year. The 
risks which these officers take every day is considerably great. House 
Resolution 406 it will allow Congress to recognize all of the 
sacrifices which these people have made while serving as Peace 
Officers.
  It is important to realize that these dedicated officers are here for 
us. The amount of negativity which has to be put up with on a day to 
day basis is above and beyond what any person should be expected to 
deal with. Every day that they leave for work their lives are in 
danger. If 1 out of every 4,400 peace officers is killed in the line of 
duty that is sadly a high rate. In 2001 there was a rise in deaths by 
over one and a half times that of the previous year. This makes 2001 
the most fatal year for police fatalities since 1974. The last that 
their government could do, would be to recognize and acknowledge the 
sacrifice these people make.
  House Resolution 406 does just that. This bill will honor all 
Federal, State, and local peace officers who have been killed or 
disabled in the line of duty. It will support all of the goals and 
ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Finally it calls upon all 
Americans to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies and 
respect.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 406 to 
commemorate and acknowledge the dedication and sacrifices made by the 
men and women killed or disabled while serving as Peace Officers.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Americans have been called 
upon as a nation to show courage. The Peace Officers are protecting our 
daily freedoms. Law enforcement is the front line protector of freedom. 
In an unpredictable and constantly changing world, where communities 
and families expect safety and security, Peace Officers continually 
strive to be the best law enforcement officers recognized for their 
responsiveness and integrity. These Peace Officers put their lives on 
the line everyday for their communities with courage and honor.
  Courage is the feeling of one's own power when summoned to duty. 
Courage comes not from facing the everyday but from standing fast 
against uncertainty. Courage is not inherited and not a matter of 
biological chance.
  We may never understand the grief that the family suffers with the 
loss of a Peace Officer. However, those of us left behind recognize 
that these officers did not die in vain. We owe a debt to those who 
have given their lives, and the peace officers of this country want 
this memory to stay fresh in the minds of the citizens.
  Therefore, I rise to lend my support and urge the establishment of a 
Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of Federal, State, and local peace 
officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. They must never be 
forgotten, and we will remember their courage and duty.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Dan Miller of Florida). The question is 
on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann 
Davis) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. 
Res. 406, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

[[Page H3314]]



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