[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 6, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H3055-H3056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE LIFE OF SCOTT BURNS DURING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Gohmert) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. Speaker, next week is National Police Week, a time for us to 
recognize those who boldly serve in municipal, county, State and 
Federal law enforcement. Furthermore, on May 15, we will observe 
National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor those who have been 
disabled or killed in the line of duty. They have made the ultimate 
sacrifice for the safety of their fellow citizens.
  The peace of mind we are afforded thanks to the dedicated service of 
our law officers is invaluable, but many times we aren't immediately 
aware at what price that security comes. However, this past weekend, my 
constituents and I were painfully reminded me of the very real danger 
that our law enforcement officers and agents battle daily. On Saturday, 
May 3, hundreds and hundreds of us mourned the loss of Texas State 
Trooper James Scott Burns at his funeral in Linden. Scott was killed by 
shotgun blasts from a killer who he chased and pulled over on April 29 
while doing his job of service to his fellow citizens. He left a widow 
and a 6-month-old daughter, of whom he was extremely proud. He also 
left a huge family that was both related by blood and related by spirit 
who care deeply about him.
  The overwhelming support shown by family, friends and fellow law 
enforcement officers was truly a testament to Trooper Burns' lovable 
nature, his sense of humor, his honorable character, but most important 
his sense of service for others. His loving family is now forced to 
carry on without him and the world is worse off without him unless we 
perpetuate the good that he did in his life through the things that we 
do in the future so that he will not have lived in vain. Though Scott's 
being killed by the possibly drug-crazed killer meant that others were 
not also killed, Scott's greatest contribution came not in the way that 
he died but in the way that he lived.
  The extraordinary choice by Scott Burns and other law officers to 
protect our communities means that they go to work every day knowing 
and believing the words that came from Jesus himself when He said, 
``Greater love hath no one than this, that a person lay down his life 
for his friends.''
  Our law enforcement officers dedicate themselves to protecting 
citizens knowing that they may very well lay down their lives to 
protect others. No words can adequately express the gratitude that's 
due them. Scott's family will hopefully find solace from so many who 
showed their support in the past and will do so in the future. The fact 
that the funeral processional extended for so many, many miles down 
Highway 59 from Linden to the cemetery will hopefully provide some 
solace. It also shows that those who are affected by Scott and his life 
will not forget. Law officers from around east Texas, from the State of 
Texas at large as well as from all over the country came and were 
there.
  As a former prosecutor, a former judge and chief justice and now as a 
member of the House Judiciary Committee and ranking member of the 
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, it is both a 
sobering privilege and a priority to address

[[Page H3056]]

issues and legislation regarding the security of our law enforcement 
community and the American people. There is no greater function of the 
Federal Government than to provide for the common defense against all 
enemies, both foreign and domestic.
  Therefore, it is imperative that we work to support our law 
enforcement officers and agents and their families by providing them 
with the training and resources they need to properly carry out their 
duties. Furthermore, there should be greater incentives in place to 
encourage harsher sentences for violent offenders who might otherwise 
be released to the streets and repeat dangerous offenses.
  While law enforcement officers risk their own safety every day for 
the well-being of our Nation and local communities, Congress must do as 
much as possible to ensure the preparedness and security of our noble 
crime fighters. As we prepare next week to nationally honor the courage 
of police officers like our own Texas State Trooper Scott Burns, let us 
consider the well-being of our law enforcement officers and their 
families with the same persistence and selflessness with which they 
afford us.

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