[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 71 (Monday, May 11, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 140--COMMEMORATING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEDICATION 
AND SACRIFICE MADE BY THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES WHILE 
                  SERVING AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

  Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Rockefeller, 
Mr. Kohl, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Kaufman, and 
Mr. Merkley) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 140

       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 133 peace officers across the United States were 
     killed in the line of duty during 2008;
       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) equipment of the highest quality and modernity;
       (2) increased availability and use of bullet-resistant 
     vests;
       (3) improved training; and
       (4) advanced emergency medical care;
       Whereas there are recorded 18,274 Federal, State, and local 
     law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of 
     duty while protecting their fellow citizens, and whose names 
     are engraved upon the National Law Enforcement Officers 
     Memorial in Washington, District of Columbia;
       Whereas in 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 
     15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day;
       Whereas on May 15, 2009, 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, 2009, as ``National Peace Officers 
     Memorial Day'', in honor of the Federal, State, and local law 
     enforcement officers that have been killed or injured in the 
     line of duty; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
     that day with appropriate ceremony, solemnity, appreciation, 
     and respect.

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