[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 15, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H4972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING COPS REAUTHORIZATION ACT
(Mr. PASCRELL asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, today we will vote on H.R. 1700, which
calls for putting 50,000 additional police officers on the street over
the next 6 years, authorizing $600 million a year for the COPS program,
and it also authorizes $350 million a year for the COPS technology
grants, and $200 million a year for hiring community prosecutors.
It is fitting today because today is the 26th annual National Peace
Officers Memorial Service. Of all the cuts to needed domestic programs
the Bush administration has devised over the years, the decimation of
funds to our law enforcement personnel has to be among the most ill-
considered and reckless. How he could ever stand next to any cop and do
what he has done in the last 5 years is reprehensible.
The COPS program is a proven winner, cutting crime and making
neighborhoods safer across the Nation. More police on the streets means
less violent crimes and greater vigilance. It just makes sense.
According to the GAO study, between 1998 and 2000, the COPS grants are
responsible for reducing crimes by 225,000.
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