[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5691-S5692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     A resolution (S. Res. 75) commemorating and acknowledging the 
dedication and sacrifice made by the men and women who have lost their 
            lives while serving as law enforcement officers.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am happy that the Senate is passing S. 
Res. 75, a resolution that would designate May 15, 2003, as National 
Peace Officers Memorial Day. Senator Campbell and I introduced this 
resolution to keep alive in the memory of all Americans the sacrifice 
and commitment of those law enforcement officers who lost their lives 
serving their communities. We are joined by 20 cosponsors, including 
Judiciary Committee Chairman Hatch, and Judiciary Committee members 
Biden, Durbin, Schumer and Kohl.
  I commend Senator Campbell for his leadership in this issue. As a 
former deputy sheriff, he has experienced first-hand the risks faced by 
law enforcement officers every day while they protect our communities. 
I also want to thank each of our nation's brave law enforcement 
officers for the jobs they do. They are real-life heroes, too many of 
whom often give the ultimate sacrifice, and they remind us of how 
important it is to support our state and local police.
  Currently, more than 850,000 men and women who serve this Nation as 
our guardians of law and order do so at a great risk. Each year, 1 in 
15 officers is assaulted, 1 in 46 officers is injured, and 1 in 5,255 
officers is killed in the line of duty somewhere in America every other 
day. After the hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center in New York 
City on September 11, 72 peace officers died while trying to ensure 
that their fellow citizens in those buildings got to safety. That act 
of terrorism resulted in the highest number

[[Page S5692]]

of peace officers ever killed in a single incident in the history of 
this country.
  In 2002, over 152 law enforcement officers died while serving in the 
line of duty, well below the decade-long average of 165 deaths 
annually, and a major drop from 2001 when a total of 237 officers were 
killed. A number of factors contributed to this reduction including 
better equipment and the increased use of bullet-resistant vests, 
improved training, longer prison terms for violent offenders, and 
advanced emergency medical care. And, in total, more than 16,700 men 
and women have made the ultimate sacrifice.
  National Peace Officers Memorial Day will provide the people of the 
United States with the opportunity to honor that extraordinary service 
and sacrifice. More than 15,000 peace officers are expected to gather 
in Washington to join with the families of their fallen comrades who, 
by their last full measure of devotion to their responsibilities and 
the right and security of their fellow citizens, have rendered a 
dedicated service to our nation. I look forward to passage of this 
important resolution, a fitting tribute for this special and solemn 
occasion.
  Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, and any statement related to this matter be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 75) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 75

       Whereas the well-being of all citizens 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 men and women, at great risk to 
     their personal safety, presently 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 more than 145 peace officers across the Nation were 
     killed in the line of duty during 2002, well below the 
     decade-long average of 165 deaths annually, and a major drop 
     from 2001 when 230 officers were killed, including 72 
     officers in the September 11th terrorist attacks;
       Whereas a number of factors contributed to this reduction 
     in deaths, including better equipment and the increased use 
     of bullet-resistant vests, improved training, longer prison 
     terms for violent offenders, and advanced emergency medical 
     care;
       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 somewhere in America every other day; and
       Whereas on May 15, 2003, 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 Senate--
       (1) recognizes May 15, 2003, as Peace Officers Memorial 
     Day, in honor of Federal, State, and local officers killed or 
     disabled in the line of duty; and
       (2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     this day with appropriate ceremonies and respect.

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