[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 11, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S3567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE DEDICATION AND SACRIFICES OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND 
                     LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 370, S. Res. 
511.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 511) commemorating and acknowledging 
     the dedication and sacrifices made by the Federal, State, and 
     local law enforcement officers who have been killed or 
     injured in the line of duty.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased that today the Senate will 
unanimously agree to a resolution to honor the service of our Nation's 
law enforcement officers. With this action we demonstrate the Senate's 
strong support as we observe and celebrate National Police Week. I 
thank Senator Sessions, ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, for 
joining me as the lead cosponsor of this resolution, and Senators 
Durbin, Specter, Kohl, Klobuchar, Feinstein, Whitehouse, Graham, 
Grassley, Feingold, Schumer, Hatch and Boxer for lending their support 
as well.
  This week we will reflect on the extraordinary service and sacrifice 
given year after year by the men and women of our police forces. 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 year the names of two brave Vermonters who gave their lives in 
the line of duty will be added to the Memorial: John Henry Collette of 
the Addison County Sheriffs Office, died July 17, 1932, and Robert 
Daniel Rossier of the Vermont Highway Patrol, died September 9, 1935. 
The inscription of their names on the National Law Enforcement Memorial 
ensures that their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.
  Once again, I am proud that the Senate has unanimously approved this 
resolution and formally recognized National Police Week and National 
Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. 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 related to the resolution be printed in the Record, as if 
read.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 511) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 511

       Whereas the well-being of the people 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, serve the people of the United States 
     as guardians of the peace;
       Whereas peace officers are on the front lines in protecting 
     the schools and schoolchildren of the United States;
       Whereas in 2009, 116 peace officers across the United 
     States were killed in the line of duty;
       Whereas Congress should strongly support initiatives to 
     reduce violent crime and 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 the names of 18,983 Federal, State, and local law 
     enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty 
     protecting the people of the United States are engraved on 
     the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, 
     District of Columbia;
       Whereas in 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 
     15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day;
       Whereas, on May 15, 2010, more than 20,000 peace officers 
     are expected to gather in Washington, District of Columbia, 
     to join with the families of recently fallen comrades to 
     honor those comrades and all others who went before the peace 
     officers: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commemorates and acknowledges the dedication and 
     sacrifices made by the Federal, State, and local law 
     enforcement officers who have been killed or injured in the 
     line of duty;
       (2) recognizes May 15, 2010, as ``National Peace Officers 
     Memorial Day''; and
       (3) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
     that day with appropriate ceremony, solemnity, appreciation, 
     and respect.

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