[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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