[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1057]
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. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2007

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am proud we have brought 
this resolution to the floor today. it is sadly fitting, as today marks 
the 1-year anniversary of the fatal shootings of Master Police Officer 
Michael E. Garbarino and Detective Vicky O. Armel of the Fairfax County 
Police Department--the first two officers shot and killed in the line 
of duty in the department's long, distinguished history.
  These local officers were shining examples of the courage and 
selflessness found in our law enforcement community. Their stories also 
illustrate the fact that personal sacrifice and danger have always been 
synonymous with law enforcement service, beginning with New York City's 
Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith, who on May 17, 1792, became the first 
recorded police officer to be killed in the line of duty.
  Today, there are 870,000 sworn law enforcement officers in the United 
States who continue the ``quest to preserve both democracy and decency, 
and to protect a national treasure that we call the American dream,'' a 
quote by President George Bush engraved on the National Law Enforcement 
Officers Memorial. Each one of these officers and their families carry 
with them the knowledge their efforts put them in harm's way. Today, 
more than 56,000 are assaulted each year and every 53 hours, an officer 
is killed while serving the American people. September 11, 2001, was 
the deadliest day for police officers in all of American history when 
72 officers were killed while responding to terrorist attacks.
  May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day, a holiday created in 1961 by 
Congress to honor fallen law enforcement officers who dedicated their 
lives to protecting this country and its citizens. The flag is flown at 
half-staff and thousands of people visit the Memorial, which was 
authorized by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and built in 1989 and 
currently has 17,912 names etched into the wall.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution to honor the memories of 
Master Police Officer Garbarino and Detective Armel, and all the fallen 
heroes from the law enforcement ranks for their service and their 
willingness to expose themselves to danger in their pursuit of a safe 
community.

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