[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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