[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 63 (Monday, May 7, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S2930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. 
        Coons, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Kohl, and Ms. Klobuchar):
  S. 2554. A bill to amend title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and 
Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend the authorization of the Bulletproof 
Vest Partnership Grant Program through fiscal year 2017; to the 
Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today I am proud to introduce a bill to 
reauthorize the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act.
  I am pleased that Senator Coons, Senator Whitehouse, and Senator 
Schumer have joined me in this effort. When enacted, this legislation 
will continue for another five years the lifesaving grant program that 
Senator Campbell and I authored in 1998. This measure will continue 
Congress' strong commitment to the safety and security of our Nation's 
law enforcement officers.
  The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program, administered by the 
Department of Justice, provides financial assistance to State law 
enforcement agencies to help purchase bulletproof vests. This program 
is an important part of the Federal Government's overall policy to 
assist and support State and local law enforcement partners around the 
country.
  In February, the Judiciary Committee held a hearing on this program 
and the need for reauthorization to emphasize just how important and 
effective this program has been. At that hearing, a representative from 
the Government Accountability Office testified that since 1987, data 
shows that body armor has saved the lives of 3,000 law enforcement 
officers. That is 3,000 men and women who may not otherwise have made 
it home to their families and loved ones. The BVP Program has assisted 
State and local jurisdictions with the purchase of nearly one million 
bulletproof vests since 1999. That is a measure of success all Senators 
should be proud of. I hope we can support the continuation of this 
program unanimously, as the Senate did most recently in 2008.
  Despite the progress that has been made in the improvement of 
lifesaving equipment and training, there is much work to be done. The 
year 2011 was an especially tragic one for the law enforcement 
community. Last year, 163 State and Federal law enforcement officers 
lost their lives and thousands were injured or disabled in the line of 
duty. This is an increase from 2010 and a grim reminder of the 
sacrifices far too many individuals make in the service of their 
communities and fellow citizens. The Senate should continue to do its 
part to help reverse the trend of the last several years.
  The safety and support of law enforcement officers across the United 
States should be something on which we can all agree. As we look toward 
National Police Week this month, Senators have an opportunity with this 
legislation to help make a difference and to show the thousands of law 
enforcement officers and their family members who will be in Washington 
that the Senate stands with them. I encourage their support and I look 
forward to the enactment of this legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 2554

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Bulletproof Vest Partnership 
     Grant Act of 2012''.

     SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION.

       Section 1001(a)(23) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control 
     and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3793(a)(23)) is 
     amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2017''.

                          ____________________