[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 70 (Thursday, May 7, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING CONCERNS OF POLICE SURVIVORS

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 138 submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 138) honoring Concerns of Police 
     Survivors for 25 years of service to family members of law 
     enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I am honored once again to submit this 
resolution to the Senate commemorating our Nation's law enforcement 
officers and National Peace Officers Memorial Day. The Senate's 
official recognition of National Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police 
Week is a tradition I am proud to carry out each year, and I look 
forward to the Senate taking up and passing this resolution.
  In 2008, 133 law enforcement officers died while serving in the line 
of duty. We honor their memory. Though this is a decrease from 2007, it 
is no less tragic a loss to our Federal and state law enforcement 
community and to their families and friends. The fact that we 
commemorate the loss and bravery of so many in law enforcement each 
year should remove any doubts in Congress that it is necessary to give 
our peace officers everything they need to stay safe and to do their 
jobs as effectively as they can.
  Currently, more than 900,000 men and women work tirelessly to protect 
our communities, our schools, and our children. They investigate and 
apprehend the most violent criminals and do more than we know in 
keeping our communities safe and secure. Since the first recorded 
police death in 1792, the names of 18,274 law enforcement officers who 
have made the ultimate sacrifice have been added to the National Law 
Enforcement Officers Memorial.
  I also take this opportunity to recognize that the names of 387 
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 for all time 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 am proud to honor their 
service and their memory. I urge all Senators to join me in approving 
this resolution.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid on the table.
  The resolution (S. Res. 138) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                              S. Res. 138

       Whereas May 14, 2009, marks the 25th anniversary of the 
     founding of Concerns of Police Survivors;
       Whereas, for 25 years, Concerns of Police Survivors has 
     answered one of the highest and most noble calls to service 
     by providing compassionate care and support to family members 
     of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty;
       Whereas, for 25 years, Concerns of Police Survivors has 
     been a bedrock of strength for those family members in 
     helping them rebuild their shattered lives;
       Whereas, for 25 years, Concerns of Police Survivors has 
     showed the highest amount of concern and respect for the tens 
     of thousands of family members of law enforcement officers 
     killed in the line of duty;
       Whereas those family members bear the most immediate and 
     profound burden of the absences of their loved ones;
       Whereas Concerns of Police Survivors facilitates healing 
     and provides love and renewed life to those family members 
     far from the eye of the media and the general public;
       Whereas it is essential that the people of the Unites 
     States are made aware of the good works of Concerns of Police 
     Survivors and recognize the contributions of Concerns of 
     Police Survivors to so many families; and
       Whereas National Police Week, observed in 2009 from May 10 
     to May 16, is the most appropriate time to honor Concerns of 
     Police Survivors: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors Concerns of Police Survivors for 25 years of 
     service to the family members of law enforcement officers 
     killed in the line of duty across the United States;
       (2) recognizes and thanks Concerns of Police Survivors for 
     assisting in rebuilding the shattered lives of those family 
     members through the organization's invaluable programs;
       (3) urges the people of the United States to join with the 
     Senate in thanking Concerns of Police Survivors on behalf of 
     the Nation; and
       (4) recognizes with great appreciation the sacrifices made 
     by the families of law enforcement officers killed in the 
     line of duty in providing essential support to one another.

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