[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 16, 2005

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
266, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day. 
Police officers make extraordinary sacrifices in fulfilling their 
mission to serve and protect, and I am pleased to join my colleagues in 
saying thank you to Peace Officers Memorial Day. I am privileged to 
know many fine police officers including my Uncle Les, a dedicated and 
long time officer with the Chicago Police Department.
  The heroism of our nation's police officers can be seen both in their 
responses to emergencies and in their everyday work serving our 
neighborhoods. In Chicago, the fine work done by the police department 
has reduced crime in almost every category in the past year, bringing 
serious crimes to a 13 year low and homicides to a historic 38 year 
low.
  Police departments across the country continue to play an important 
role in building and maintaining stable, safe communities. The Chicago 
Police Department assists with community policing programs and plays an 
important role in youth counseling and recreation programs to help at-
risk teenagers reach their full potential as contributing members of 
society.
  In 2004, 153 peace officers nationwide gave their lives in the 
protection of our families and communities. The death of any police 
officer is a tragedy and a loss felt deeply in our communities. I join 
with my colleagues in honoring the memory and sacrifices of these 
heroes, and I applaud the continued service of law enforcement officers 
and all public safety workers who face danger every day while 
protecting our streets, our schools, and our communities.
  Mr. Speaker, we have a responsibility to support our nation's law 
enforcement officers and supply them with the tools and resources they 
need to ensure their safety and ours. I am proud to join my colleagues 
today in honoring the contributions of our nation's peace officers, and 
I ask that my colleagues join me in working to provide sufficient 
support to the 87,000 heroes who make up our nation's local law 
enforcement community.

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