[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 71 (Monday, May 11, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMEMORATING AND ACKNOWLEDGING DEDICATION AND SACRIFICE OF LAW 
                          ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to S. Res. 140.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 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.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, today the Senate will act unanimously in 
support of our Nation's law enforcement officers by passing a 
resolution to honor their service and sacrifice. I am pleased the 
Senate will take this action at the start of National Police Week and I 
thank all Senators for their strong support. I thank Senator Sessions, 
as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, for joining me in the 
introduction of this resolution.
  This week we will reflect on the extraordinary service and sacrifice 
given year after year by the men and women of our police forces. We do 
not thank them enough. And as thousands of law enforcement officers 
arrive in Washington this week to pay tribute to those whose lives were 
lost in the line of duty, I hope they all know that the Senate stands 
with them and honors their service and their sacrifice. We welcome 
these men and women and their families and friends to the Nation's 
Capital.
  This week, the Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing to get the 
perspective from the field as to how funds provided through the 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have been assisting with law 
enforcement efforts at the State and local level. I look forward to 
hearing from the Department of Justice and law enforcement officials on 
Congress and the administration's efforts to assist law enforcement 
across the country. Along with our respect, America's law enforcement 
officers deserve Congress's strong support.
  Once again, I am proud that the Senate will unanimously approve this 
resolution and formally recognize National Police Week and National 
Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed 
in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 140) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              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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