[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2949-H2950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS' 
                            MEMORIAL SERVICE

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 264) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 264

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE 
                   OFFICERS' MEMORIAL SERVICE.

       (a) In General.--The Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of 
     Police and its auxiliary (in this resolution referred to as 
     the ``sponsor'') shall be permitted to sponsor a public 
     event, the 29th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial 
     Service (in this resolution referred to as the ``event''), on 
     the Capitol Grounds, in order to honor the law enforcement 
     officers who died in the line of duty during 2009.
       (b) Date of Event.--The event shall be held on May 15, 
     2010, or on such other date as the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration 
     of the Senate jointly designate.

     SEC. 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

       (a) In General.--Under conditions to be prescribed by the 
     Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board, the 
     event shall be--
       (1) free of admission charge and open to the public; and
       (2) arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress.
       (b) Expenses and Liabilities.--The sponsor shall assume 
     full responsibility for all expenses and liabilities incident 
     to all activities associated with the event.

     SEC. 3. EVENT PREPARATIONS.

       Subject to the approval of the Architect of the Capitol, 
     the sponsor is authorized to erect upon the Capitol Grounds 
     such stage, sound amplification devices, and other related 
     structures and equipment, as may be required for the event.

     SEC. 4. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS.

       The Capitol Police Board shall provide for enforcement of 
     the restrictions contained in section 5104(c) of title 40, 
     United States Code, concerning sales, advertisements, 
     displays, and solicitations on the Capitol Grounds, as well 
     as other restrictions applicable to the Capitol Grounds, in 
     connection with the event.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Costello) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 264.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 264 authorizes use of the 
Capitol grounds for the 29th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial 
Service, a solemn and respectful public event in our Nation's capital 
honoring our heroic civil servants who were killed in the line of duty 
in the previous year.
  Mr. Speaker, 116 brave men and women were killed in the line of duty 
in 2009, the fewest number since 1959. The total number of officers 
killed in the line of duty declined 16 percent from 2008. 
Unfortunately, the number of officers shot and killed had a dramatic 
rise and increased 22 percent from the previous year. According to the 
National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Fund, the number of 
incidents where more than one officer was killed by a single gunman 
accounted for 15 deaths, nearly a third of the officers killed in 
firearms-related incidents.
  There were three peace officers who died in Illinois in 2009, 
including one from my congressional district in Centreville, Illinois, 
Gregory Jonas.
  The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service is a fitting tribute to 
all Federal, State and local peace officers who gave their lives in the 
daily work of protecting our families, our homes and our workplaces.
  Consistent with all Capitol Hill events, the memorial service will be 
free and open to the public. I support the resolution and urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this tribute to our fallen peace 
officers.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 264 authorizes the use of 
the Capitol grounds for the 29th annual National Peace Officers' 
Memorial Service to be held on May 15. The memorial service will be 
just one event of many planned for Police Week to honor the sacrifices 
of the men and women who serve in law enforcement and to give special 
recognition of those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
  In 1962, Congress established Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police 
Week through a joint resolution of Congress. And, in 1982, the first 
official memorial service took place in Senate Park with 125 people 
gathered to honor 91 officers. Since that time, law enforcement from 
around the world have come to D.C. to participate in week-long events 
to honor the brave service and sacrifice of officers who have fallen in 
the line of duty.
  Today, thousands of people participate in the events, including the 
memorial service, and over 3,000 law enforcement officers have been 
honored from around our Nation. Currently, there are approximately 
900,000 law enforcement officers in the United States that selflessly 
risk their lives so that we can be safe and protected.
  Unfortunately, on average, 160 officers each year lose their lives in 
the line of duty. And there are approximately 16,000 assaults on police 
officers each year, resulting in nearly 60,000 injuries. This year, 324 
fallen officers will be honored, including 116 who lost their lives in 
2009. Police Week will serve to honor the service and sacrifice law 
enforcement officers make for us every day.
  I support this resolution and encourage my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
264, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace 
Officers' Memorial Service on May 15, 2010. This memorable event will 
provide an opportunity to honor the officers who work for States, 
counties, Federal law enforcement, military police, correction 
officers, and as peace officers in the United States and its 
territories and to also honor those officers that have died in the line 
of duty in 2009.
  In October 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National 
Peace Officers' Memorial Day. Each year on this date, we, as a nation, 
have an opportunity to honor the commitment with which peace officers 
perform their daily task of protecting our local communities. Today, 
the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on Capitol Hill has 
become one in a series of well-attended events during the annual Police 
Week organized by the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, the 
Fraternal Order of Police, and Concerns of Police Survivors.
  The 2010 event marks the 29th time the Capitol Grounds will be used 
for this noteworthy event. According to the National Peace Officers' 
Memorial Fund, there are approximately 900,000 sworn law enforcement 
officers serving the American public today. Thirty-five states and 
Puerto Rico had officers killed in 2009. Of the 116 officers killed, 51 
were killed during a traffic-related incident, 49 were killed in a 
firearms-related incident, and 16

[[Page H2950]]

were killed in other types of incidents. Although the 116 peace 
officers that died in action in 2009 is the lowest number since 1959, 
each officer's death is a tragedy, and we should honor the sacrifices 
made by those who have been killed in the line of duty.
  Activities on the Capitol Grounds conducted under H. Con. Res. 264 
will be coordinated with the Architect of the Capitol, will be free, 
and open to the public.
  It is fitting that we pay tribute the lives, sacrifices, and public 
service of our brave peace officers and their families today. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 264.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this resolution, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 264.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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