[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 29 (Thursday, February 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE ``LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS EQUITY ACT,'' H.R. 1073

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 15, 2007

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today, with my colleague John 
McHugh, to introduce The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act (H.R. 
1073). The purpose of this bill is simply to give law enforcement 
status to all Federal law enforcement officers!
  Many Federal officials--for example, the Border Patrol--are 
classified as ``law enforcement officers,'' for the purposes of 
determining salary and retirement benefits. But many other officers--
such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers, Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement (ICE) Inspectors, Veterans' Affairs Police 
Officers, U.S. Mint Police Officers, Internal Revenue Officers, and 
police officers in about two dozen other agencies--do not have equal 
pay and benefits status.
  The tragic irony, Mr. Speaker, is that the only time these officers 
are classified as law enforcement officers is when they are killed in 
the line of duty. Then their names are inscribed on the wall of the 
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial right here in Washington.
  Let me say that again. It is only when they are killed that they are 
called law enforcement officers, and that is a tragic irony.
  My district encompasses he entire California-Mexico border and is 
home to two of the busiest border crossings in the entire world, so I 
am very familiar with the work of our Nation's border inspectors. They 
wear bulletproof vests, they carry firearms, and, unfortunately, have 
to use them. Most importantly, these inspectors are subject to the same 
risks as other officers with whom they serve side-by-side. However, 
they are not eligible for early retirement and other benefits, which 
are designed to maintain a young and vigorous law enforcement workforce 
that we need to combat those who pose life-threatening risks to our 
society.
  The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act will provide well-deserved 
pay and retirement benefits to the officers protecting our borders, our 
ports of entry, our military and veterans' installations and other 
sensitive government buildings. The costs of these benefits would 
likely be off-set by savings in training costs and increased revenue 
collection. The bill will also reduce turnover, increase yield, 
decrease recruitment and development costs and enhance the retention of 
a well-trained and experienced workforce.
  Madam Speaker, the simple fact is that these officers have dangerous 
jobs and deserve to be recognized as law enforcement officers, just 
like others with whom they serve, side by side, and who share the same 
level of risk. I encourage my colleagues to join me and Mr. McHugh in 
cosponsoring, the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act. The valiant 
officers who protect us deserve no less!

                          ____________________