[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E632-E633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CONGRESSIONAL BADGE OF BRAVERY ACT OF 
                                  2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 15, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support 
of H.R. 4056 which provides Congress the ability to recognize and honor 
the dedicated men and women in Federal law enforcement who risk their 
lives and welfare daily while performing necessary and often hazardous 
duties.

[[Page E633]]

  There are thousands of Federal Law Enforcement Officers, FLEOs, 
including those that bravely serve in the Department of Homeland 
Security. Of these thousands, some are injured in the course of duty. I 
want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to these 
individuals, especially given the difficult task they have of enforcing 
our laws and protecting our way of life.
  In the Department of Homeland Security alone, countless FLEOs serve 
to protect the Nation from harm at our borders and ports of entry as 
well as our financial, cyber and transportation systems. On a daily 
basis, these individuals work diligently, often apprehending or 
detaining people suspected of criminal offenses, even if it means 
putting themselves in harm's way. Their work is absolutely necessary to 
the security and well-being of our country and it should be properly 
acknowledged.
  While measures exist to award military personnel and State and local 
officers for their sacrifices, currently only 2 out of the more than 70 
Federal agencies recognize their own valiant FLEOs. Therefore, it is 
imperative that Congress address and highlight the value of these 
distinguished men and women by establishing a Congressional Badge of 
Bravery. I urge all my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.

                          ____________________