[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




AUTHORIZING THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT POLICE TO PROTECT OFFICIALS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 15, 2008

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
R. 6855, a bill to extend the authority for the United States Supreme 
Court Police to protect Court officials off the Supreme Court grounds. 
This important bill is sponsored by my colleague on the Judiciary 
Committee, Mr. Smith. In order to get unbiased, thoughtful rulings on 
important cases, it is necessary the officials who preside over these 
cases can walk the streets unburdened with the fear that their 
interpretations and decisions will lead to them facing harm on their 
way home. It is time to protect our court officials so they can carry 
out their important work.
  This bill will protect the Members of the Court. Currently, Justices 
do not receive any protection when they are off the Court grounds. 
Unlike cabinet secretaries and governors who receive protection from 
the Marshall Service, Justices are forced to remain unprotected. They 
are open up to being attacked and injured or worse. We must protect 
them as they are just as important to our democracy as our President 
and Members of Congress.
  Four years ago, Supreme Court Justice David Souter, while jogging 
near his home in Southwest Washington DC, was assaulted by two young 
men. He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and thankfully 
was released a few hours later. While this attack was deemed by the 
police as only a random assault, and that robbery was not the motive, 
this should serve as a wake up call for us all. The Supreme Court, like 
the Office of the President, is more important than the person serving 
in the position. Protecting these people, is not just about protecting 
the person, it is about protecting the sanctity of the Court and the 
decisions they render. This legislation will assure the choices that 
the Justices make comes from a place of righteousness and not 
intimidation.
  The noted philosopher and English Parliamentarian, Edmund Burke, 
said, ``Good order is the foundation of all things.'' Members of the 
Court have an important responsibility to maintain order in government. 
They were chosen to provide clarity when questions arose on the rights 
that were promised to us by the Founding Fathers.
  This bill does something fundamental for the American way of life, it 
protects it. The legacy of all those who came before us depends on 
making sure that those who come after can do the job duty requires. 
Nothing is more fundamentally American than protecting those who 
protect our rights. It is in this function, that we know when it is our 
turn to serve; we can do so without undue fear.
  Without the venerable work of the members of the Court and the myriad 
of landmark cases that they decided, the country would have a markedly 
different look, far from what we see today.
  Police officers could walk around searching anyone they choose; 
personal privacy would be a dream and not a reality. Miranda v Arizona 
would have never given us the right to remain silent, or the right to 
talk to a lawyer.
  But for the case of Brown v. the Board of Education, many Americans 
would not be able to take part in integrated schools and would face 
lower quality of education.
  But for the Court, many African American voters would not be able to 
take part in a historic vote this November.
  To be sure, our Nation would look very different if it was not for 
the Court. Since its creation in the Constitution, they have been a 
vital partner in the fight for civil rights, women's rights and the 
rights of all people across the country.

                          ____________________