[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 11, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2751-H2752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 622) supporting the goals and ideals 
of Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 622

       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 957,500 law enforcement personnel, the 
     highest amount ever in the United States, 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 145 peace officers across the Nation were killed in 
     the line of duty during 2003, well below the decade-long 
     average of 166 deaths annually, and a major drop from 2001 
     when 230 officers were killed, including 72 officers in the 
     September 11th terrorist attacks;
       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, 2004, more than 20,000 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 of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Peace Officers 
     Memorial Day to honor Federal, State, and local peace 
     officers killed or disabled in the line of duty; and
       (2) 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 
Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 622, 
the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 622 supports the goals and the ideals 
of Peace Officers Memorial Day. This Saturday, May 15, is Peace 
Officers Memorial Day, a day that serves as an important remembrance of 
Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials who were killed or 
disabled in the line of duty during the past year.
  According to the text of the resolution, 145 peace officers were 
killed during 2003. Mr. Speaker, remarkably, nearly 1 million Americans 
serve their country in some law enforcement capacity today. Their daily 
professions remain inherently dangerous, therefore all Americans must 
recognize and cherish their contributions to our liberty and to our 
security.
  Mr. Speaker, this week is National Police Week, which occurs each 
year during the calendar week in which Peace Officers Memorial Day 
falls. Thousands of law enforcement personnel and their families will 
attend several events in the Washington, D.C. area during this week, 
culminating with the 23rd annual National Peace Officers Memorial Day 
services at noon on Saturday, May 15, at the west front of this revered 
building, the United States Capitol building.
  We all owe our Nation's peace officers a tremendous debt of gratitude 
for their commitment to the safety of every citizen. Therefore, today, 
I am pleased the House is considering House Resolution 622 during this 
meaningful and somber week for those who defend our homeland.
  Mr. Speaker, I highly commend the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. 
Hefley) for shepherding House Resolution 622 to the floor today. 
Primarily, I wish to thank him for his work to recognize the sacrifices 
of the men and women of American law enforcement.
  This is a solemn piece of legislation, and I encourage every Member 
of the House to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, each day, police officers nobly protect our families, 
friends, and neighbors from crime. While it is impossible to suitably 
thank these brave Americans for the tremendous sacrifices they make, we 
pause to salute them for their courage, dedication, and service, and to 
pay our respects to those who have fallen in the line of duty. Peace 
officers work to improve the quality of life for all of us. For that, 
they deserve our sincere appreciation and our respect.
  Every year, one out of every nine peace officers is assaulted, one 
out of every 25 is injured, and one out of every 4,400 is killed. In 
the last year alone, 145 police officers were killed in the line of 
duty. And while this number reflects a decrease in officers killed, 
each death is a tragedy and a loss to the community, and especially to 
the families.
  Sergeant Philip J. O'Reilly of Chicago was killed in an automobile 
accident while on patrol at 5 a.m. Sunday, March 16, 2003. Sergeant 
O'Reilly was assigned to the Foster Avenue Police District and had been 
with the Chicago Police Department for 16 years. He is survived by his 
wife, six children, and seven siblings.
  Sergeant O'Reilly's fellow officers remember him as a devoted 
officer, a tremendous father, and a great man. It is our duty as 
Americans to honor the service of men and women like Sergeant O'Reilly 
who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may all sleep a little 
easier at night knowing that our community and our world is a safer 
place.
  On Saturday, May 20, Sergeant O'Reilly's name will be among the 362 
fallen officers who will be officially added to a memorial at a 
candlelight vigil. I support the goals and ideals of Police Officers 
Memorial Day to honor Federal, State, and local peace officers killed 
or disabled in the line of duty. And I call upon the people of the 
United States to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies and 
respect.
  You can never give more than your life, and these men and women give 
the very best of what they have.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), the sponsor of 
this resolution.
  Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this 
time, and I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) for 
pushing this through in time for the actual memorial.

[[Page H2752]]

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the more than 20,000 peace 
officers from around the country who will come to Washington, D.C. this 
next week, and in fact all the peace officers, the 1 million or so 
peace officers of one kind or another throughout the Nation. They are 
coming for National Police Week to commemorate the lives, as we have 
already heard, the 145 peace officers who died last year in the line of 
duty.
  Today, we recognize May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day 
and pay tribute to the commitment, sacrifice, and public safety 
services these officers provide for all Americans on a daily basis.
  As we all know, September 11, 2001 stands out as one of the most 
tragic days in American history. On that fateful Tuesday, we lost 72 
police officers, the largest loss of law enforcement personnel in a 
single day in our Nation's history. While September 11 offered an 
extreme glimpse of law enforcement's services and sacrifice, similar 
acts of heroism, individual acts of heroism and valor, are performed 
every day in every community by police officers across our great 
Nation.
  Last year, more than 145 officers are killed in the line of duty 
nationwide, and, thankfully, these police officers killed last year is 
well below the decade-long average of 166 deaths, and slightly less 
than in 2002. The deaths have decreased in each of the last 2 years, 
and, hopefully, this is a lasting trend.
  Peace officers in every community have an admirable record of 
services and sacrifice, yet too many Americans lack true understanding 
and appreciation, I feel, of law enforcement's work. That is why I 
worked a few years ago to help establish the National Law Enforcement 
Museum in Washington, D.C., and this week, 362 names of brave men and 
women will be added to the memorial, 145 from 2003 and 217 from prior 
years.
  Unlike most other jobs, peace officers face unprecedented risks while 
bravely protecting our communities and our freedoms. I hope my 
colleagues will join me today in paying tribute to our Nation's fallen 
officers and expressing our gratitude for the work these men and women 
perform.
  We feel very strongly here in the Congress, I think, about paying 
honor to the brave men and women in uniform. And when we say that, we 
usually mean those that serve in the Armed Services of our country. But 
there are other brave men and women in uniform we need to pay tribute 
to, and that is why I offer this resolution today.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. I would simply congratulate the gentleman from Colorado for 
his introduction of this legislation and urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume, and I also want to thank the gentleman from Colorado for 
his work on House Resolution 622. It is a great piece of legislation, 
and I urge its adoption.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 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. More than 
957,500 law enforcement personnel, the highest amount ever in the 
United States, serve their fellow citizens as guardians of peace.
  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. 145 peace officers across the 
Nation were killed in the line of duty during 2003, well below the 
decade-long average of 166 deaths annually, and a major drop from 2001 
when 230 officers were killed, including 72 officers in the September 
11 terrorist attacks.
  As chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, I express my deep 
appreciation for what the Peace Officers do support the children of 
America, by focusing on crimes against our children. 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.
  On May 15, 2004, more than 20,000 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. I am pleased to be joined by my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives to support the goals and ideals of Peace Officers 
Memorial Day to honor Federal, State, and local peace officers killed 
or disabled in the line of duty. Also, I want to call upon the people 
of the United States to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies 
and respect.
  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of House 
Resolution 622, ``Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Peace Officers 
Memorial Day.'' Now more than ever our nation relies on the valor and 
commitment of our peace officers to protect our families and 
communities each day and in times of crisis. I am privileged to know 
many fine police officers, including my Uncle Les, a dedicated and long 
time officer with the Chicago Police Department.
  Last year, 145 police officers were killed in the line of duty. While 
this is a significant drop from previous years, the death of any 
officer is a tragedy and loss felt deeply in our communities. I join 
with my colleagues in honoring the memory and sacrifices of these 
heroes, and I applaud the continued service of law enforcement and all 
public safety workers who face danger every day to protect our streets 
and our schools.
  As Members of Congress, we have a responsibility to support our 
nation's law enforcement officers and supply them with all of the tools 
and resources they need to ensure their safety and ours. Our support 
means action, not just empty rhetoric. The men and women in blue have 
asked us to take action on renewing the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, set 
to expire on September 13th. Indeed, a broad coalition of law 
enforcement advotates, including the membership of the International 
Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Association of Police 
Organizations, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, and 
the American Probation and Parole Association are among many others who 
have urged Congress to pass an extension of this legislation, which has 
proven an effective and life-saving law. To date, their call for this 
common sense remedy to gun crimes has gone unanswered.
  These organizations and the police officers they represent support 
the ban because it works. Before the 1994 Assault Weapons ban, one in 
five police officers killed in the line of duty were attacked with 
assault weapons. The year after the ban passed, that figure dropped to 
zero. This single statistic speaks volumes for its effectiveness. 
Another case in point: In 1991, assault weapons were used in eight 
percent all gun crimes. By 2003 it was only one percent. If we allow 
the ban to expire, our peace officers will be subjected to the 
proliferation of assault weapons and their lives will be needlessly 
placed in greater danger.
  This past Sunday--Mothers Day 2003--thousands of women gathered on 
the west lawn of the Capitol to mourn the death of children lost to gun 
violence. This coming Saturday, 20,000 peace officers will gather at 
the same place to remember their fallen brothers and sisters. What 
better way to express our support for them than by renewing the assault 
weapons ban. I believe Congress should go a step further by closing the 
gun show loophole and enacting sensible safety protections. We owe it 
to the families of our fallen heroes to pass these life-savings 
measures.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the Gentleman from Colorado for introducing this 
important resolution, and I urge my colleagues to vote for it. I also 
urge the leadership to bring the Assault Weapons Ban to the floor for a 
vote. That would be the most meaningful and effective demonstration of 
our support and to honor America's peace officers and their invaluable 
role in the safety of our families and communities.
  Mr. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 622.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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