[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 62 (Thursday, May 18, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY

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                               speech of

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 16, 2006

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 788, 
a resolution that honors and celebrates the 25th Annual National Peace 
Officers' Memorial Service Observance Day on May 15, 2006. President 
John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers' 
Memorial Day in 1962. However, it was not until May 15, 1982 that the 
first National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service was held in 
Washington, DC. It is important that all citizens know and understand 
the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of their law 
enforcement agencies. The memorial that was created in Washington, DC 
stands as a daily reminder of these dangers facing our law enforcement 
officers and of how these brave men and women died facing them.
  As a former police officer, I salute those law enforcement officials 
who died in the line of duty in 2005 and continue to honor those police 
officers who gave their lives in past years. As a member of the 
Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, I strongly support critical 
funding for programs, such as the Community Oriented Policing Services 
(COPS) program, to hire additional police officers and help law 
enforcement acquire the latest crime-fighting technologies. I will 
continue to be a strong supporter of the law enforcement community and 
will advocate on behalf of public safety in Congress.
  Madam Speaker, in honor of the law enforcement officers who, through 
their courageous deeds, have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to 
their community or have become disabled in the performance of duty, I 
ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and paying respect to our 
fallen heroes. As a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 788, I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.

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