[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S4596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 131--COMMEMORATING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEDICATION 
AND SACRIFICE MADE BY THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES WHILE 
                  SERVING AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

  Mr. SPECTER (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Biden, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Kohl, 
Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Hatch, Mrs. 
Feinstein, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Durbin, and Ms. Collins) submitted the 
following resolution; which was submitted and read:

                              S. Res. 131

       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 850,000 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 154 peace officers across the United States were 
     killed in the line of duty during 2004, which is below the 
     decade-long average of 169 deaths annually;
       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 other day, 1 out of every 9 peace officers is 
     assaulted, 1 out of every 25 peace officers is injured, and 1 
     out of every 6,000 peace officers is killed in the line of 
     duty somewhere in the United States; and
       Whereas on May 15, 2005, 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 Senate--
       (1) recognizes May 15, 2005, 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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