[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 80 (Thursday, May 15, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H3889-H3890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        BLACK CLOTH OF SACRIFICE

  (Mr. POE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, today, the badges of American peace officers 
are draped with the black cloth of sacrifice in honor of those killed 
in the line of duty protecting America's people.
  Even though Congress has not yet passed legislation this year to 
designate today, May 15, as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, this 
is the day we remember America's peace officers.
  Today at 1 o'clock in the afternoon in front of the Capitol, 
thousands of peace officers and families of the fallen will pay tribute 
to those who wear the badge and those who gave their life so that 
others could live.
  Peace officers are the last strand of wire in the fence between the 
law and the lawless, between the people and the barbarians, between 
good and evil.
  Almost 20,000 peace officers have been killed in the line of duty in 
the United States. 60,000 a year are assaulted. Nearly 1 million peace 
officers vigilantly, faithfully patrol our streets, neighborhoods and 
rural communities and cities. We owe them our heartfelt respect and 
gratitude.
  Madam Speaker, peace officers who wear the badge are, as my dad used 
to say, ``A cut above the rest of us.''

[[Page H3890]]

  And that's just the way it is.

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