[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 76 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3984-S3985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMEMORATING THE DEDICATION AND SACRIFICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 729, S. Res.
537.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 537) commemorating and acknowledging
the dedication and sacrifice made by the men and women who
have lost their lives while serving as law enforcement
officers.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today the Senate Judiciary Committee
unanimously reported S. Res. 537 to the Senate floor. In recognition of
those officers who lost their lives in 2007, the full Senate has now
passed this resolution. I thank Senators Specter, Kennedy, Durbin,
Kohl, Feinstein, Schumer, Hatch, Whitehouse, Biden, Cardin, and Baucus
for joining me in sponsoring this resolution. And I thank the full
Senate for showing its strong support and appreciation of America's law
enforcement officers by unanimously passing this resolution. It is
something in which we can all take pride.
Last year, in 2007, 181 law enforcement officers died while serving
in the line of duty. That is a regrettable and significant increase
from just 1 year earlier. Tragically, it is the most line-of-duty
deaths since 2001 and the losses from September 11 of that year. The
magnitude of this loss should remove any doubts in Congress that it is
necessary to give these men and women everything they need to stay
safe, and to do their jobs as effectively as they can.
Currently, more than 900,000 men and women who guard our communities
do so at great risk. Since the first recorded police death in 1792,
there have been more than 18,200 law enforcement officers who have made
the ultimate sacrifice. There is lots of talk about the war on crime.
Our law enforcement officers are all too often the casualties in that
effort, and the officers who lost their lives in 2007 are a stark
reminder that we must not let up in our support of those who work day-
in and day-out in the service of their communities and fellow citizens.
I also take this opportunity to recognize that the names of 358
fallen officers will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial on May 13 during a candlelight vigil that will be held in
their honor. These are officers from the past and present whose memory
will be preserved at the memorial, ensuring that their bravery and
sacrifice will not be forgotten.
National Peace Officers Memorial Day provides the people of the
United States, in their communities, in their State capitals, and in
the Nation's Capital, with the opportunity to honor and reflect on the
extraordinary service and sacrifice given year after year by those
members of our police forces. More than 20,000 peace officers are
expected to gather in Washington in the days leading up to May 15, to
join with the families of their fallen comrades. It is right that the
Senate show its respect on this occasion, and I thank all Senators for
joining me in honoring their service and their memory by approving this
bipartisan resolution.
Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be
[[Page S3985]]
agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no
intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the
resolution be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 537) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 537
Whereas the well-being of all citizens of the United States
is preserved and enhanced as a direct result of the vigilance
and dedication of law enforcement personnel;
Whereas more than 900,000 men and women, at great risk to
their personal safety, presently serve their fellow citizens
as guardians of the peace;
Whereas peace officers are on the front lines in protecting
the schools and schoolchildren of the United States;
Whereas 181 peace officers across the United States were
killed in the line of duty during 2007, tragically the
highest yearly total since 2001;
Whereas Congress should strongly support initiatives to
reduce violent crime and to increase the factors that
contribute to the safety of law enforcement officers,
including--
(1) better equipment and increased use of bullet-
resistant vests;
(2) improved training; and
(3) advanced emergency medical care;
Whereas, every 2 days on average, 1 out of every 16 peace
officers is assaulted, 1 out of every 56 peace officers is
injured, and 1 out of every 5,500 peace officers is killed in
the line of duty somewhere in the United States; and
Whereas, on May 15, 2008, more than 20,000 peace officers
are expected to gather in Washington, District of Columbia,
to join with the families of their recently fallen comrades
to honor those comrades and all others who went before them:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes May 15, 2008, as ``Peace Officers Memorial
Day'', in honor of the Federal, State, and local law
enforcement officers that have been killed or disabled in the
line of duty; and
(2) calls on the people of the United States to observe
that day with appropriate ceremonies, appreciation, and
respect.
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