[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 68 (Friday, May 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E843]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY

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                               speech of

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2004

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 622, 
supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day and urge 
my colleagues to support its adoption.
  Pursuant to a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, Congress 
authorized and requested the President to designate May 15 of each year 
as ``Peace Officers Memorial Day'' and the week in which it falls as 
``Police Week.''
  In this regard, I applaud my colleagues Joel Hefley, Tom Davis, Henry 
Waxman and Bart Stupak, a former Peace Officer himself, for sponsoring 
H. Res. 622 to further encourage the observance of a day of remembrance 
for the more than, 1600 Federal, State, and local peace officers who 
were killed or disabled in the line of duty in past 10 years.
  Mr. Speaker, Police Memorial Day 2004 will be a particularly sad one 
for my constituents in the Virgin Islands and me because of the passing 
of Virgin Police Officer Cuthbert Chapman who was shot several times on 
April 17 as he tried to stop a robbery.
  Officer Chapman, also known as ``Chappy,'' ``Kimba'' and ``Cutty,'' 
was remembered as a soft-spoken and kind-hearted friend who was always 
willing to give a helping hand. He was a 12-year veteran on the force. 
He joined the police department on June 15, 1992, and was assigned to 
the Bicycle Patrol Unit at Wilbur Francis Command in Frederiksted. 
Chapman also served in various units and bureaus in the department.
  As we remember and pay tribute to Officer Chapman, I must also 
mention and recognize some of the other Peace Officers, including Randy 
Stevens, Steven Hodge, Richard Callwood, Dexter Mardenborough, Wilbur 
Francis, Allen William, and Patrick Sweeney, who lost their lives 
striving to keep the streets and communities of the Virgin Islands 
safe.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we acknowledge and commend the 
courage and dedication shown by all Peace Officers who have given their 
lives for their fellow citizens. I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.

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