[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 5, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S3189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CAMPBELL:
  S. 535. A bill to provide Capitol-flown flags to the families of law 
enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty; to 
the Committee on Rules and Administration.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Fallen Law 
Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Flag Memorial Act of 2003.
  This bill would help honor the sacrifice of the men and women who 
lost their lives in the line of duty by providing Capitol-flown flags 
to the families of deceased law enforcement officers and firefighters.
  Under this legislation, the family of a deceased law enforcement 
officer can request from the Attorney General that a flag be flown over 
the U.S. Capitol in honor of the slain officer. The Department of 
Justice shall pay the cost of the flags, including shipping, out of 
discretionary grant funds, and provide them to the victim's family.
  As a former deputy sheriff, I know firsthand the risks which law 
enforcement officers face every day on the frontlines protecting our 
communities. I also have great appreciation, as the cochair of the 
Congressional Fire Caucus, for the service that our Nation's 
firefighters provide, day in and day out, and that all too often, they 
end up sacrificing their lives while saving others.
  I believe providing a Capitol-flown flag is a fitting way to show our 
appreciation for fallen officers and firefighters who make the ultimate 
sacrifice. It also lets their families know that Congress and the 
Nation are grateful for their loved one's service.
  I ask unanimous consent that the Fallen Law Enforcement Officers and 
Firefighters Flag Memorial Act of 2003 be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 535

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Fallen Law Enforcement 
     Officers and Firefighters Flag Memorial Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. CAPITOL-FLOWN FLAGS FOR FAMILIES OF DECEASED LAW 
                   ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

       (a) Authority.--
       (1) In general.--The family of a deceased law enforcement 
     officer may request, and the Attorney General shall provide 
     to such family, a Capitol-flown flag, which shall be supplied 
     to the Attorney General by the Architect of the Capitol. The 
     Department of Justice shall pay the cost of such flag, 
     including shipping, out of discretionary grant funds.
       (2) Effective date.--Paragraph (1) shall take effect on the 
     date on which the Attorney General establishes the procedure 
     required by subsection (b).
       (b) Procedure.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall establish a 
     procedure (including any appropriate forms) by which the 
     family of a deceased law enforcement officer may request, and 
     provide sufficient information to determine such officer's 
     eligibility for, a Capitol-flown flag.
       (c) Applicability.--This Act shall only apply to a deceased 
     law enforcement officer who died on or after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (d) Definitions.--In this Act--
       (1) the term ``Capitol-flown flag'' means a United States 
     flag flown over the United States Capitol in honor of the 
     deceased law enforcement officer for whom such flag is 
     requested; and
       (2) the term ``deceased law enforcement officer'' means a 
     person who was charged with protecting public safety, who was 
     authorized to make arrests by a Federal, State, Tribal, 
     county, or local law enforcement agency, and who died while 
     acting in the line of duty.

     SEC. 3. CAPITOL-FLOWN FLAGS FOR FAMILIES OF DECEASED 
                   FIREFIGHTERS.

       (a) Authority.--The family of a paid or volunteer 
     firefighter who dies in the line of duty may request, and the 
     Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall 
     provide to such family, a capitol-flown flag, which shall be 
     supplied to the Director by the Architect of the Capitol. The 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency shall pay the cost of 
     such flag, including shipping, out of discretionary grant 
     funds.
       (b) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the 
     date on which the Attorney General establishes the procedure 
     required by section 2(b).
                                 ______