[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 62 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

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                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2005

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our fallen 
heroes and to offer my heartfelt thanks to our brave men and women in 
blue.
  Yesterday, sadly, was an eerily familiar day. Once again, fighter 
jets circled the bright blue sky and alarms echoed throughout the halls 
of Congress. As my colleagues and I rushed off the House floor, a 
police officer exclaimed, ``This is not a test! Run!''
  Mr. Speaker, there was fear in the officer's eyes, but there was 
bravery in her voice. This was the moment for which she had trained, 
and she was determined to shepherd us to safety. I thanked God, once 
again, for the commitment, courage and competence of the Capitol 
Police.
  Mr. Speaker, it is all too fitting that this week is National Police 
Week. When an unidentified aircraft entered restricted air space 
yesterday, Members of Congress witnessed the efficiency and 
fearlessness of our police force first-hand. But it should not take an 
emergency for us to recognize those who risk their lives for our 
protection. It should not take a tragedy for us to say thank you.
  Mr. Speaker, 415 names will be added to the National Law Enforcement 
Officers Memorial this week. I'd like to speak to you about one of the 
names that will be written on the Memorial, a name that many from my 
hometown of Baltimore hold in our hearts.
  Almost exactly a year ago, Officer Brian D. Winder was killed in the 
line of duty as he responded to a 911 call. He was only 36. Mr. 
Speaker, you need only read the postings on Officer Winder's memorial 
website to know how much he meant to his wife, children, and fellow 
officers. In fact, if I may, I would like to read the posting written 
by Officer Winder's partner, LeTanye.

       Hey B., today starts a tough time for me and a lot of 
     others who miss you. I have that task of making sure that 
     your family makes it through all of the ceremonies that are 
     upcoming in honor of Police Memorial Week. There have been so 
     many times, recently, that I just wanted to give up being a 
     peace officer because it has gotten so much more dangerous 
     for us on the streets. The department is falling apart one by 
     one. These are things that you and I spent countless times 
     discussing. But now you are gone and it's hard. My sister was 
     attacked the other day by an unknown male and I told myself 
     that I had to continue this job. I have to continue to see 
     that my family and yours are safe. I know that you would want 
     me to do so. I just ask that you stay by my side and help me 
     continue the fight, even when I feel that I can't do it 
     anymore.
  Mr. Speaker, LeTanye has reason to feel lonely and overwhelmed. The 
President, and yes, this Congress, have abandoned her. The President's 
budget slashed billions of dollars from essential law enforcement 
programs like COPS, a program that had added thousands of police 
officers to our most dangerous neighborhoods. Now law enforcement 
officers like LeTanye will have to shoulder even more of the burden of 
our collective safety.
  So, I ask you, how many more partners will LeTanye lose as a result 
of these cutbacks? Deep cuts to the COPS, Byrne grants and HIDTA 
programs endanger their lives and hinder their ability to protect our 
communities. How can we say to her, we know it's hard, and it's going 
to get harder because we aren't willing to give you the support you 
need? How can we look Capitol Police Officers in the face, knowing they 
are willing to give their lives for our protection, while we pass 
legislation that endangers theirs.
  Mr. Speaker, we should honor all of our law enforcement officers by 
giving them the resources they need to do their jobs well and safely. 
We must do more than etch one more name onto a memorial wall. We must 
speak truth to power by etching a legacy of respect, gratitude and 
priority funding into our fiscal policies for our nation's law 
enforcement forces.
  Thank you. I yield back the balance of my time.




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