[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E6]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN SUPPORT OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FLAG MEMORIAL ACT OF 2002

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                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2003

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Law 
Enforcement Officers Flag Memorial Act of 2002. I am deeply sad that 
Harris County, where my hometown of Houston is located, is leading the 
Nation in the grim category of peace officers killed according to the 
National Law Enforcement Officers' Fund.
  Peace officers and their families know better than anyone the perils 
and risks involved in their job. Yet every day, they put on a badge and 
make our Nation a safer place. While we should never forget these 
officers, we also need to remember their spouses, their children and 
friends who miss them dearly. Our hearts go out to those survivors who 
are trying to cope with saying good-bye to a loved one. We are indebted 
to the survivors for the courage of these officers, and we share their 
grief and offer kind words knowing that it is a poor substitute for 
their loss.
  Every day, ordinary men and women make an extraordinary commitment 
when they put on a badge that symbolizes the oath they take to protect 
and serve. The badge also makes them a target. Every day, they leave 
their families behind not knowing if they will come home tonight.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me as a cosponsor of the 
Law Enforcement Officers' Flag Memorial Act of 2002. This legislation 
seeks to honor slain law enforcement officers by providing their 
families a Capitol-flown U.S. flag.
  While a Capitol flag is a meaningful and true symbol of our nation's 
gratitude, Congress should continue to make sure that we keep our 
commitment to the law enforcement community by providing funding for 
more officers, better equipment, and advanced training. Doing so not 
only saves the lives of officers, but it makes our families, our homes, 
and our neighborhoods a safer place.

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