[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 64 (Monday, May 16, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H3277-H3278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL MAINTENANCE FUND ACT OF 2005
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2107) to amend Public Law 104-329 to modify authorities for the
use of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund,
and for other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 2107
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Law Enforcement
Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund Act of 2005''.
SEC. 2. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO NATIONAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL MAINTENANCE FUND.
(a) In General.--Section 201 of Public Law 104-329 is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Cooperative Agreement.--
``(1) In general.--Effective on and after the date of the
enactment of the National Law Enforcement Memorial
Maintenance Fund Act of 2005, the following applies,
notwithstanding other provisions of this Act:
``(A) The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the
National Park Service, shall enter into a cooperative
agreement with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Fund, Inc., a nonprofit corporation incorporated under the
laws of the District of Columbia, to carry out the purposes
of the Fund as described in subsection (b).
``(B) In accordance with the terms of such agreement, the
Secretary shall transfer all amounts in the Fund to the
Corporation.
``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
``(A) the term `Corporation' means the National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc; and
``(B) the term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the
Interior.''.
(b) Purposes of Fund.--Section 201(b) of Public Law 104-329
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) by striking paragraphs (4), (6), and (7), and
redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (4); and
(3) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by striking the
semicolon and inserting a period.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi).
General Leave
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 2107.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2107, introduced by my colleague on the Committee
on Resources, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton), would
transfer funds of the 1996 sale of a commemorative coin from the
National Park Service to the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for
the purpose of maintaining the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial. The Memorial Fund, a non-profit organization incorporated in
Washington, DC, that raised the original $12 million to build the
Memorial, wishes to have access to the $1.4 million raised from the
coin sales to maintain the memorial in an effective and timely manner.
Today, more than 16,500 fallen law enforcement officers' names are
inscribed on the Memorial, dating back to the first recorded police
fatality in 1792.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2107 is supported by the majority and minority of
the committee and the administration.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
(Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, we support passage of this
measure.
Yesterday, May 15, was National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the
first day of National Police Week, which are both intended to
commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who keep our communities
safe. While this legislation is technical in nature, it is an important
way in which Members can show their respect for those honored by this
memorial and for those who continue to serve as peace officers.
Mr. Speaker, there are today more than 17,000 names listed on the
memorial here in our Nation's capital. Sadly, another 153 names will be
added to the list for 2004, brave men and women who died in the line of
duty protecting and serving others.
We all had a personal reminder last week of what that selfless
service really means when many Capitol Police officers remained behind
on the Capitol grounds to evacuate Members, staff, and visitors.
Thankfully, that episode proved to be a nonthreatening incident;
however, it clearly highlighted the potential dangers the women and men
of the Capitol Police are trained and willing to confront.
We would encourage everyone to visit the National Law Enforcement
Officers Memorial and to let law enforcement officers know just how
much we appreciate their service as they go about their duties this
week.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton), the author of this bill.
(Mr. SAXTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill will transfer control of the National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund from the National Park Service to
the nonprofit National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to ensure
the much needed maintenance and repairs to the memorial are made in an
effective and timely manner.
In 1996, the United States Commemorative Coin Act of 1996 was signed
into law. This law mandated the minting and sale of several
commemorative coins, including the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial Silver Dollar. Surcharges from the coin sale were to be placed
in a special interest-bearing account established by the U.S. Treasury
and to be maintained by the National Park Service. The revenues
generated were then to be used to maintain the memorial and interest
accrued was to be used towards establishing a scholarship fund for the
children of officers who were killed in the line of duty.
Unfortunately, due to a series of unintentional oversights, the
nearly $1.4 million generated from the sale of the coin was misplaced
and until recently was never invested by the U.S. Treasury in an
interest-bearing account, as required by law.
For the past 6 years, the Memorial Fund has tried, unsuccessfully, to
gain access to the maintenance fund to make needed repairs to the
memorial. During this time, the Memorial Fund has spent more than
$250,000 of its own funds, despite the existence of the $1.4 million.
Therefore, to ensure the money of the maintenance fund is spent in
accordance with the original intent of the law, I have worked with the
National Park Service and the National
[[Page H3278]]
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to introduce legislation
requiring the Park Service and the Officers Memorial Fund enter into a
cooperative agreement outlining how the money in the maintenance fund
will be spent. It is imperative that we correct this oversight and
ensure the financial viability of the Officers Memorial Fund.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2107, the National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund of 2005. The bill will
transfer control of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
from the National Park Service to the non-profit National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to ensure the much needed
maintenance and repairs to the Memorial are made in a timely and
effective manner.
In 1996, the United States Commemorative Coin Act of 1996 was signed
into law. This law mandated the minting and sale of several
commemorative coins, including a National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial Silver Dollar. Surcharges from the coin sale were to be placed
in a special interest-interest bearing account established by the U.S.
Treasury and to be maintained by the National Park Service. The
revenues generated were then to be used to maintain the Memorial, and
interest accrued was to be used towards establishing a scholarship fund
for the children of officers who were killed in the line of duty.
Unfortunately, due to a series of unintentional oversights, the
nearly $1.4 million generated from the sale of the coin was misplaced,
and until recently, was never invested by the U.S. Treasury in an
interest-bearing account, as required by law.
For the past six years, the Memorial Fund has tried, unsuccessfully,
to gain access to the maintenance Fund to make needed repairs to the
memorial. During this time, the Memorial Fund has spent more than
$250,000 of its own funds, despite the existence of $1.4 million they
raised from the sale of the commemorative coin. These funds were
intended for the purpose of making repairs to the memorial, as
specifically outlined in federal legislation.
Therefore, to ensure the money in the maintenance fund is spent in
accordance with the original intent of the law, I have worked with the
National Park Service and the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial Fund to introduce legislation requiring the Park Service and
the Officers Memorial Fund enter into a cooperative agreement outlining
how the money in the maintenance fund will be spent. It is imperative
we correct this oversight, and secure the financial viability of the
Officers Memorial Fund.
This past Friday, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial held
their annual candlelight vigil, honoring the 153 brave men and women
who lost their lives in defense of their communities in 2004. The
Memorial hosted nearly 20,000 family members, law enforcement officers,
and friends of law enforcement, who gathered to pay tribute to these
fallen heroes. In addition to the pain and suffering of tragically
losing a loved one, can you imagine the added stress had these families
visited an unkempt site? Had the Officers Memorial Fund not used their
own funds to provide routine maintenance and repair, grieving families
would not have descended upon a memorial fit to honor the sacrifices
made by their loved ones.
Ladies and gentlemen, in 1984, Congress honored those officers who
worked devotedly and selflessly on behalf of the people of our Nation
by authorizing a memorial built in their honor. Over a decade later,
Congress again authorized support for our law enforcement community by
issuing a coin sale to help cover the costs of maintaining their
memorial. Which brings us to today, over 20 years later, we must
continue to ensure these sacrifices made are memorialized in
perpetuity.
This week, the Nation pays tribute to our law enforcement community
by celebrating National Police Week. Enacted 43 years ago, this
weeklong celebration commemorates law enforcement officers, past and
present, who have, through their courageous and enduring commitment to
maintaining the safety and security of all citizens, earned the respect
and recognition of this grateful Nation.
Please join me in continuing to honor these brave men and women by
supporting H.R. 2107.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of
the legislation introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr.
Saxton. H.R. 2107, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Maintenance Fund Act of 2005 is a timely bill given that we are
celebrating ``National Police Week.''
I am pleased that the 17th Annual Candlelight Vigil was held at the
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial last Friday. A reading of
the 415 names newly engraved on the Memorial immediately followed the
ceremony, and I send my condolences to the families of all of the
fallen officers whose names were inscribed.
This important bill amends the United States Commemorative Coin Act
of 1996 to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the
National Park Service, to: (1) enter into a cooperative agreement with
the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc., Corporation,
to carry out the Fund's purposes, generally, maintaining and repairing
the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., and
periodically adding to it the names of law enforcement officers who
have died in the line of duty; and (2) transfer all amounts in the Fund
to the Corporation, in accordance with the terms of such agreement.
Furthermore, H.R. 2107 revises the purposes of the Fund to repeal:
(1) authority to provide educational scholarships to immediate family
members of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty whose
names appear on the Memorial; and (2) limitation of the Fund's use for
its own administration to the lesser of ten percent of its annual
income or $200,000 during any one-year period, including an emergency
affecting the Memorial's operation.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the city of Houston's law
enforcement officers for the bravery that they exhibit in keeping the
constituents of the 18th Congressional District safe. Lastly, I send
condolences to the families and friends of Houston law enforcement
officers who have fallen in the line of duty.
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 2107.
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. RENZI. 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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