[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 42 (Wednesday, April 5, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H1500-H1501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS' 
                            MEMORIAL SERVICE

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 360) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 360

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE 
                   OFFICERS' MEMORIAL SERVICE.

       (a) In General.--The Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of 
     Police and its auxiliary (in this resolution referred to as 
     the ``sponsor'') shall be permitted to sponsor a public 
     event, the 25th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial 
     Service (in this resolution referred to as the ``event''), on 
     the Capitol Grounds, in order to honor the law enforcement 
     officers who died in the line of duty during 2005.
       (b) Date of Event.--The event shall be held on May 15, 
     2006, or on such other date as the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration 
     of the Senate jointly designate.

     SEC. 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

       (a) In General.--Under conditions to be prescribed by the 
     Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board, the 
     event shall be--
       (1) free of admission charge and open to the public; and
       (2) arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress.
       (b) Expenses and Liabilities.--The sponsor shall assume 
     full responsibility for all expenses and liabilities incident 
     to all activities associated with the event.

     SEC. 3. EVENT PREPARATIONS.

       Subject to the approval of the Architect of the Capitol, 
     the sponsor is authorized to erect upon the Capitol Grounds 
     such stage, sound amplification devices, and other related 
     structures and equipment, as may be required for the event.

     SEC. 4. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS.

       The Capitol Police Board shall provide for enforcement of 
     the restrictions contained in section 5104(c) of title 40, 
     United States Code, concerning sales, advertisements, 
     displays, and solicitations on the Capitol Grounds, as well 
     as other restrictions applicable to the Capitol Grounds, in 
     connection with the event.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Higgins) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 360.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Concurrent Resolution 360 authorizes the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for the annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service to be 
held on Monday, May 15, 2006.
  I am pleased to join the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia 
(Ms. Norton) for the second consecutive year in sponsoring the use of 
the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.
  The Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary 
annually sponsor this event honoring some of America's bravest men and 
women. The memorial service will honor the 155 Federal, State and local 
law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while 
protecting their communities in 2005.
  I would also like to recognize the five peace officers killed in the 
line of duty in 2005 from my home State of Pennsylvania: Edward 
Schroeder, Jr., Jesse Sollman, Paris Williams, Sr., Brian Gregg, and 
Joseph Pokorny. We are grateful for their service and sacrifice.
  This will be the 25th time that this event has been held on the 
grounds of the Capitol. This memorial service is part of National 
Police Week, which was created by law in 1962 and runs this year from 
May 9 through May 15.
  Police Week draws officers, their families, and survivors of fallen 
officers from around the country, and includes such events as the Blue 
Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral Church, a candlelight vigil at the 
National Law Enforcement Memorial, and a 50-K relay race.
  The memorial service begins at noon on Monday. Following the ceremony 
on the Capitol Grounds, there will be a procession to the Law 
Enforcement Memorial and a wreath-laying ceremony.
  I encourage my colleagues to attend this much-deserved memorial 
service and honor those who protect our communities on the front lines.
  I would also like to recognize Jacob Joseph Chestnut and John Michael 
Gibson, the two Capitol Police officers killed in the line of duty in 
1998. Both 18-year veterans of the Capitol Police, their sacrifice will 
never be forgotten.
  The authorization of the use of the Capitol Grounds is just one of 
the ways Members of Congress recognize the service of peace officers 
and memorialize those who have fallen in the line of duty.
  I was proud to be part of the First Annual Congressional Longest Yard 
Classic, a bipartisan fund-raiser to benefit the Capitol Police 
Memorial Fund, which assists the families of the fallen Capitol Police 
officers like Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, who bravely gave their 
lives defending the United States Capitol and many of us who work here.
  The idea of a football game fund-raiser was conceived by the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi). It was a takeoff of the movie ``The 
Longest Yard'' with Members of Congress acting as the inmates and the 
Capitol Hill Police the guards. We were to battle it out on the 
gridiron. I thank Mr. Renzi for his help in organizing the fund-raiser 
and thank the 33 Members of Congress who participated. Some would say 
it was a wonderful experience despite the rain, but I would say it was 
a wonderful experience because of the rain.
  Those 33 Members of Congress, all of us washed-up athletes, were able 
to

[[Page H1501]]

play the much-superior Capitol Police Force to a 12-12 tie. For us it 
was a great joy. But most importantly, we were able to raise nearly 
$60,000 for the Capitol Police Memorial Fund. I look forward to next 
year and for the match-up to continue to honor these brave men and 
women, and also for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, 
which will be held on Monday, May 15. I support this measure and urge 
my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Concurrent Resolution 360 authorizes the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for the 25th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, 
a most solemn and respectful public event honoring the brave, heroic 
officers who have fallen in the line of duty. The event, scheduled for 
May 15, will be in coordination with the Office of the Architect of the 
Capitol and the Capitol Police.
  Mr. Speaker, on average, one officer is killed in this country every 
other day. Approximately 23,000 are injured every year, and thousands 
more assaulted. Sadly, 155 names will be added to the memorial wall 
this year, including the names of five women who were killed in the 
line of duty. The fallen officers come from 32 States, the Federal 
Government, and Puerto Rico. Their average age was 38 years and 7 
months. The youngest officer was 21 years old.
  The memorial service is a fitting tribute to Federal, State and local 
police officers who gave their lives protecting our families, our 
homes, our places of work. They serve every day on the front lines in 
the battle to keep our communities safe. They sacrifice so much, and 
for this we are all, each of us, eternally grateful.
  It is in this spirit of appreciation that in my hometown, Buffalo, 
Police Officer Greg O'Shei initiated the public recognition of fallen 
officers by memorializing their names on signs posted throughout the 
city of Buffalo. Officer O'Shei's efforts have reminded us every day in 
Buffalo and throughout the Nation of these brave sacrifices that are 
made daily.
  The ceremony to be held on May 15 is the 25th anniversary of this 
memorial service which was established as a national event by President 
Kennedy in 1962. Consistent with all Capitol Hill events, the memorial 
service will be free and open to the public. I support the resolution 
and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this tribute to our 
fallen peace officers.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
measure and thank my colleague from New York for his tribute to those 
fallen officers and people who serve and protect us every day.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 360, a 
resolution to authorize use of the Capitol Grounds for the National 
Peace Officers' Memorial Service on May 15, 2006.
  In October 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National 
Peace Officers' Memorial Day. Each year on this date we, as a Nation, 
have an opportunity to honor the devotion with which peace officers 
perform their daily task of protecting our families, co-workers, 
friends, and ourselves. The 2006 event marks the 25th anniversary of 
the Capitol Hill event. In the post September 11 environment, the work 
of selfless police and firemen has become our model of courage and 
moral strength.
  There are approximately 700,000 sworn law enforcement officers 
serving the American public today. Ten percent of the police force 
officers are women. Law enforcement officers include those that work 
not only for states, counties and the federal government, but also 
military police, correction officers, and peace officers in the U.S. 
territories. In 2005, 155 officers were killed on the job; 5 of these 
officers were women. The leading cause of death was gunshot wound.
  It is most fitting and proper to honor the lives, sacrifices, and 
public service of our brave peace officers. I urge my colleagues to 
support H. Con. Res. 360.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 360.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________