[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 127 (Friday, October 8, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H9009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATE JUSTICE INSTITUTE REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2004

  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the 
Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 2714) to reauthorize the State Justice 
Institute, with a Senate amendment thereto and concur in the Senate 
amendment.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The Clerk read the Senate amendment, as follows:
       Senate amendment: Page 3, after line 5, insert:

     SEC. 4. LAW ENFORCEMENT ARMOR VESTS.

       Section 1001(a)(23) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control 
     and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3793(a)(23) is 
     amended by striking ``2004'' and inserting ``2007''.

  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Bulletproof 
Vest Partnership Grant Act included in the State Justice Institute 
Reauthorization Act of 2004. This legislation reauthorizes the Grant 
program until 2007. The current authorization expired on September 30, 
2004. Congress has overwhelmingly approved this program twice, both in 
the 105th Congress and the 106th Congress. The Bulletproof Vest 
Partnership Grant program has directly benefited every U.S. state and 
territory.
  A bulletproof vest is one of the most important pieces of equipment 
an officer can have. Many times the vest can mean the difference 
between life and death. Every day, law enforcement officers are 
confronted by violent criminals armed with deadly weapons. While many 
officers wear vests to protect themselves, an alarming number of 
officers across the United States are not afforded this same protection 
because of local budget constraints. The Bulletproof Vest Partnership 
Grant program has helped state and local law enforcement to purchase 
vests. These funds have saved countless lives across the nation.
  We must protect those who risk their lives every day protecting our 
communities. This program has provided more than 1 million of these 
life saving vests since its inception. In 2004 alone, the Bulletproof 
Vest Partnership Grant program provided $25 million to state and local 
law enforcement agencies across America. In turn, this funding helped 
provide more than 175,000 new bulletproof vests giving vital protection 
to thousands of law enforcement officer nationwide.
  Due to the success of this program, grant applications have steadily 
increased annually since the program's enactment, yet many 
municipalities are denied grants due to a lack of funding for the 
program. This reauthorization will provide an additional three years to 
work toward full funding for this program, enabling more law 
enforcement officers to have access to these lifesaving vests.
  Please join me as we work together to save more lives, and give our 
law enforcement officers the necessary tools they need to help them 
keep our communities safe.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Utah?
  There was no objection.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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