[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10183-S10184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             BULLETPROOF VEST PARTNERSHIP GRANT ACT OF 2008

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 6045 which is at the 
desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 6045) to amend title I of the Omnibus Crime 
     Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend the 
     authorization of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant 
     Program through fiscal year 2012.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased that the Senate has acted 
unanimously today to reauthorize the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant 
Program. This measure marks the fifth time that I have had the 
privilege of working to reauthorize this life-saving Federal grant 
program. I first worked with Senator Campbell 10 years ago to author 
the Bulletproof Vest Grant Partnership Act of 1998, which responded to 
the tragic Carl Drega shootout in 1997 on the Vermont-New Hampshire 
border, in which two state troopers who did not have bulletproof vests 
were killed. The Federal officers who responded to the shooting spree 
were equipped with life-saving body armor, but the State and local law 
enforcement officers lacked protective vests because of the cost.
  In 2007, as a result of the Bulletproof Vest Grant Program, 
jurisdictions across the country received over $28 million in Federal 
funds, which were used to purchase more than 180,000 armor vests. 
Between 1999 and 2007, $234 million has gone to the States and has 
assisted in the purchase of an estimated 818,044 vests. It gives me a 
great sense of pride to know that the law we enacted is having a real 
impact in directly supporting the safety and security of American law 
enforcement officers.
  In May, the Judiciary Committee held an important hearing and learned 
just how crucial this program has been to our law enforcement officers. 
Lieutenant Michael Macarilla with the Vermont State Police testified 
about how valuable this program is to small jurisdictions in Vermont, 
which often operate on very tight budgets. And Detective David Azur of 
the Baltimore Police Department testified about his experience of being 
shot at point-blank range and surviving because he was

[[Page S10184]]

wearing a bulletproof vest. His testimony left no doubt that this is an 
issue of life and death.
  Just this week we were reminded again of the importance of 
bulletproof vests for law enforcement officers. A police officer in 
Alexandria, VA, Kyle Russell was shot in the chest during a traffic 
stop. According to Chief David Baker of the Alexandria Police, Officer 
Russell's vest saved his life. What was a very tragic situation was 
prevented from being made worse due to Officer Russell's bulletproof 
vest. This event, in a city close to the Nation's Capitol, should be 
another reminder to Members of Congress about why this program is so 
important. Where Congress can help State and local jurisdictions equip 
their officers, there should be no hesitation to do so.
  I regret that due to objections we were not able to include with the 
reauthorization a waiver system for those jurisdictions that have 
suffered a natural disaster or severe budget shortfalls. The waiver 
would have given those jurisdictions a way to keep their officers 
protected, regardless of whether they can meet the law's matching 
requirement. The waiver legislation also would provide authority to the 
Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance at the Justice Department 
to waive the grant program's matching requirement in cases of fiscal 
hardship. If a jurisdiction cannot meet this requirement, it is 
unlikely it can afford to purchase vests on its own. I hope the next 
Congress will be allowed to consider these important provisions. I do 
not wish to return to the days when law enforcement officers were 
required to purchase their own vests, or simply go without. With 
tighter budgets and a troubled economy, it makes sense to give the 
Bureau of Justice Assistance the authority and the flexibility to 
ensure that no jurisdiction is excluded from such critical assistance 
simply because it can't afford to meet the matching requirements.
  We know that body armor saves lives, but the cost has put these vests 
out of the reach of many of the officers who need them. This program 
makes it more affordable for police departments of all sizes. Few 
things mean more to me than when I meet Vermont police officers and 
they tell me that the protective vests they wear were made possible 
because of this program. This is the least we should do for the 
officers on the front lines who put themselves in danger for us every 
day. I want to make sure that every police officer who needs a 
bulletproof vest gets one.
  We do not thank our Nation's law enforcement officers enough for the 
sacrifices they make in order to protect all of us. But the actions the 
Senate has taken today in passing this legislation is a strong step 
forward in demonstrating Congress' commitment to supporting the men and 
women who serve us so well. I hope the President will quickly sign this 
reauthorization into law.
  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
read three times and passed, that the motions to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any 
statements related to this measure be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 6045) was ordered to a third reading, was read the 
third time, and passed.

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