[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 69 (Tuesday, May 15, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H2673-H2676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL BLUE ALERT ACT OF 2012

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 365) to encourage, enhance, and integrate Blue 
Alert plans throughout the United States in order to disseminate 
information when a law enforcement officer is seriously injured or 
killed in the line of duty, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 365

       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 ``National Blue Alert Act of 
     2012''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Coordinator.--The term ``Coordinator'' means the Blue 
     Alert Coordinator of the Department of Justice designated 
     under section 4(a).
       (2) Blue alert.--The term ``Blue Alert'' means information 
     relating to the serious injury or death of a law enforcement 
     officer in the line of duty sent through the network.
       (3) Blue alert plan.--The term ``Blue Alert plan'' means 
     the plan of a State, unit of local government, or Federal 
     agency participating in the network for the dissemination of 
     information received as a Blue Alert.
       (4) Law enforcement officer.--The term ``law enforcement 
     officer'' shall have the same meaning as in section 1204 of 
     the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 
     U.S.C. 3796b(6)).
       (5) Network.--The term ``network'' means the Blue Alert 
     communications network established by the Attorney General 
     under section 3.
       (6) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States, 
     the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
     the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and 
     the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

     SEC. 3. BLUE ALERT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.

       The Attorney General shall establish a national Blue Alert 
     communications network within the Department of Justice to 
     issue Blue Alerts through the initiation, facilitation, and 
     promotion of Blue Alert plans, in coordination with States, 
     units of local government, law enforcement agencies, and 
     other appropriate entities.

     SEC. 4. BLUE ALERT COORDINATOR; GUIDELINES.

       (a) Coordination Within Department of Justice.--The 
     Attorney General shall assign an existing officer of the 
     Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator of 
     the Blue Alert communications network.
       (b) Duties of the Coordinator.--The Coordinator shall--
       (1) provide assistance to States and units of local 
     government that are using Blue Alert plans;
       (2) establish voluntary guidelines for States and units of 
     local government to use in developing Blue Alert plans that 
     will promote compatible and integrated Blue Alert plans 
     throughout the United States, including--
       (A) a list of the resources necessary to establish a Blue 
     Alert plan;
       (B) criteria for evaluating whether a situation warrants 
     issuing a Blue Alert;
       (C) guidelines to protect the privacy, dignity, 
     independence, and autonomy of any law enforcement officer who 
     may be the subject of a Blue Alert and the family of the law 
     enforcement officer;
       (D) guidelines that a Blue Alert should only be issued with 
     respect to a law enforcement officer if--
       (i) the law enforcement agency involved--

       (I) confirms--

       (aa) the death or serious injury of the law enforcement 
     officer; or
       (bb) the attack on the law enforcement officer and that 
     there is an indication of the death or serious injury of the 
     officer; or

       (II) concludes that the law enforcement officer is missing 
     in the line of duty;

       (ii) there is an indication of serious injury to or death 
     of the law enforcement officer;
       (iii) the suspect involved has not been apprehended; and
       (iv) there is sufficient descriptive information of the 
     suspect involved and any relevant vehicle and tag numbers;
       (E) guidelines--
       (i) that information relating to a law enforcement officer 
     who is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty should 
     be provided to the National Crime Information Center database 
     operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under section 
     534 of title 28, United States Code, and any relevant crime 
     information repository of the State involved;
       (ii) that a Blue Alert should, to the maximum extent 
     practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in consultation 
     with law enforcement agencies of States and units of local 
     governments), be limited to the geographic areas most likely 
     to facilitate the apprehension of the suspect involved or 
     which the suspect could reasonably reach, which should not be 
     limited to State lines;
       (iii) for law enforcement agencies of States or units of 
     local government to develop plans to communicate information 
     to neighboring States to provide for seamless communication 
     of a Blue Alert; and
       (iv) providing that a Blue Alert should be suspended when 
     the suspect involved is apprehended or when the law 
     enforcement agency involved determines that the Blue Alert is 
     no longer effective; and
       (F) guidelines for--
       (i) the issuance of Blue Alerts through the network; and
       (ii) the extent of the dissemination of alerts issued 
     through the network;
       (3) develop protocols for efforts to apprehend suspects 
     that address activities during the period beginning at the 
     time of the initial notification of a law enforcement agency 
     that a suspect has not been apprehended and ending at the 
     time of apprehension of a suspect or when the law enforcement 
     agency involved determines that the Blue Alert is no longer 
     effective, including protocols regulating--
       (A) the use of public safety communications;
       (B) command center operations; and
       (C) incident review, evaluation, debriefing, and public 
     information procedures;
       (4) work with States to ensure appropriate regional 
     coordination of various elements of the network;
       (5) establish an advisory group to assist States, units of 
     local government, law enforcement agencies, and other 
     entities involved in the network with initiating, 
     facilitating, and promoting Blue Alert plans, which shall 
     include--
       (A) to the maximum extent practicable, representation from 
     the various geographic regions of the United States; and
       (B) members who are--
       (i) representatives of a law enforcement organization 
     representing rank-and-file officers;
       (ii) representatives of other law enforcement agencies and 
     public safety communications;
       (iii) broadcasters, first responders, dispatchers, and 
     radio station personnel; and
       (iv) representatives of any other individuals or 
     organizations that the Coordinator determines are necessary 
     to the success of the network;
       (6) act as the nationwide point of contact for--
       (A) the development of the network; and
       (B) regional coordination of Blue Alerts through the 
     network; and
       (7) determine--
       (A) what procedures and practices are in use for notifying 
     law enforcement and the public when a law enforcement officer 
     is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty; and
       (B) which of the procedures and practices are effective and 
     that do not require the expenditure of additional resources 
     to implement.
       (c) Limitations.--

[[Page H2674]]

       (1) Voluntary participation.--The guidelines established 
     under subsection (b)(2), protocols developed under subsection 
     (b)(3), and other programs established under subsection (b), 
     shall not be mandatory.
       (2) Dissemination of information.--The guidelines 
     established under subsection (b)(2) shall, to the maximum 
     extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in 
     consultation with law enforcement agencies of States and 
     units of local government), provide that appropriate 
     information relating to a Blue Alert is disseminated to the 
     appropriate officials of law enforcement agencies, public 
     health agencies, and other agencies.
       (3) Privacy and civil liberties protections.--The 
     guidelines established under subsection (b) shall--
       (A) provide mechanisms that ensure that Blue Alerts comply 
     with all applicable Federal, State, and local privacy laws 
     and regulations; and
       (B) include standards that specifically provide for the 
     protection of the civil liberties, including the privacy, of 
     law enforcement officers who are seriously injured or killed 
     in the line of duty and the families of the officers.
       (d) Cooperation With Other Agencies.--The Coordinator shall 
     cooperate with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
     Secretary of Transportation, the Chairman of the Federal 
     Communications Commission, and appropriate offices of the 
     Department of Justice in carrying out activities under this 
     Act.
       (e) Restrictions on Coordinator.--The Coordinator may not--
       (1) perform any official travel for the sole purpose of 
     carrying out the duties of the Coordinator;
       (2) lobby any officer of a State regarding the funding or 
     implementation of a Blue Alert plan; or
       (3) host a conference focused solely on the Blue Alert 
     program that requires the expenditure of Federal funds.
       (f) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
     Coordinator shall submit to Congress a report on the 
     activities of the Coordinator and the effectiveness and 
     status of the Blue Alert plans that are in effect or being 
     developed.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Pierluisi) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam 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.R. 365, as amended, 
currently under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, in 1962, at the request of Congress, President Kennedy 
proclaimed today as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Every May 15 
we honor our Nation's law enforcement officers who have been killed in 
the line of duty. Earlier today, on the west front of the Capitol, we 
honored those officers who were killed last year while protecting us 
and enforcing the law.
  H.R. 365, the National Blue Alert Act of 2012, establishes a 
nationwide system for distribution of time-sensitive information to 
help identify a violent suspect when a law enforcement officer is 
injured or killed in the line of duty.
  Each year, hundreds of law enforcement officers are killed or 
seriously injured in the line of duty. America's law enforcement 
officers courageously put their lives on the line every day. They often 
work long and irregular hours in demanding and dangerous conditions. 
These officers run a high risk of being injured or killed by the same 
criminals that prey on Americans.
  Just last month, in my home State of Texas, an Austin police officer 
was shot and killed while responding to a call about a drunk man 
shoplifting at the local Walmart. What seemed to be a routine call 
turned out to be a dangerous and deadly situation. We cannot bring 
Officer Padron back, but we can honor his sacrifice by helping to 
apprehend and bring to justice criminals who harm our men and women in 
blue.
  In 1789, President George Washington appointed America's first law 
enforcement officers, 13 United States Marshals. Since then, over 
21,000 local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers have been 
killed in the line of duty.
  Despite the fact that national crime rates continue to drop, in 2011, 
163 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty, a 14 
percent increase over the previous year. Unfortunately, criminals are 
becoming even more violent, and their contempt for law enforcement and 
the rule of law is more evident than ever.
  This bill encourages expansion of an integrated Blue Alert 
communications network throughout the United States, much like the 
well-known AMBER Alert system used to locate missing and abducted 
children. A Blue Alert broadcasts information and speeds apprehension 
of violent criminals when a law enforcement officer is seriously 
injured or killed in the line of duty. Blue Alerts use the same 
principle as AMBER Alerts for missing children and Silver Alerts for 
missing seniors.
  The Blue Alert system is a cooperative effort among local, State, and 
Federal authorities, law enforcement agencies, and the general public. 
A Blue Alert provides a description of an offender who is still at 
large and may include a description of the offender's vehicle and 
license plate information. Like AMBER Alerts, Blue Alerts will help 
hinder the offender's ability to escape and will facilitate their 
capture.
  The bill directs the Department of Justice to designate an existing 
officer as the Blue Alert national coordinator, who will encourage 
those States that have not already done so to develop Blue Alert plans 
and establish voluntary guidelines. As of today, 14 States have Blue 
Alert networks in place, and Ohio will implement its network in June.
  An integrated nationwide Blue Alert system ensures that when tragedy 
strikes, the public is on notice and suspects can be more quickly 
apprehended and brought to justice. A nationwide Blue Alert network 
will be particularly effective when a suspect flees across State lines.
  I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Grimm) and Mr. 
Reichert of Washington for their work on this issue. This is a 
bipartisan, bicameral bill. Similar legislation was approved by the 
Senate Judiciary Committee last September.
  Supporters of this legislation include the National Fraternal Order 
of Police, the National Sheriffs' Association, the Federal Law 
Enforcement Officers Association, and the Sergeants Benevolent 
Association.
  Too often, criminals in our society have no respect for authority and 
the rule of law. The goal of the Blue Alert is to immediately notify 
the entire community to assist in the location and apprehension of 
violent criminals who injure or kill police officers. This bill 
reaffirms our determination to ensure the future safety of our law 
enforcement men and women and the communities they serve to protect 
every day.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1640

  Mr. PIERLUISI. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 365, 
and I yield myself such time as I may consume to explain the bill and 
to respectfully urge my colleagues to vote for it.
  The National Blue Alert Act of 2012 has strong bipartisan backing and 
was approved unanimously by the Judiciary Committee on April 25. I am 
proud to join my colleague, Mr. Grimm, as the lead Democratic sponsor 
of this legislation, and I want to thank the gentleman from New York, a 
former FBI agent, for his leadership on this and on other law 
enforcement issues.
  This bill constitutes an effort to protect and defend the men and 
women of law enforcement, who protect and defend us, our families, and 
our communities. The bill has been endorsed, as has been stated by the 
gentleman from Texas, by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers 
Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of 
Police Organizations, the National Sheriffs' Association, and the 
Sergeants Benevolent Association. In our sister Chamber, an identical 
companion bill to H.R. 365 has been approved by the Senate Judiciary 
Committee and currently awaits floor consideration.
  The legislation before us directs the Attorney General to establish a 
national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of 
Justice to disseminate information when a law enforcement officer is 
killed or seriously injured in the line of duty and when the suspect 
has not yet been apprehended. A Blue Alert would provide

[[Page H2675]]

a physical description of the suspect and may include a description of 
the suspect's vehicle and license plate information.
  The Blue Alert system is a cooperative effort among Federal, State, 
and local authorities, law enforcement agencies, and the general 
public. The Blue Alert system would use the same infrastructure as 
AMBER Alerts, which are disseminated for missing children, and Silver 
Alerts, which are disseminated for missing seniors.
  Pursuant to the bill, the Attorney General will assign an existing 
DOJ officer to serve as the national coordinator for the Blue Alert 
communications network. The national coordinator's duties will include: 
encouraging State, territory, and local governments to develop Blue 
Alert plans; establishing voluntary guidelines for these government 
entities to use in developing such plans; developing protocols for 
efforts to apprehend suspects; and establishing an advisory group to 
assist State and local governments and law enforcement agencies to 
create, facilitate, and promote Blue Alert plans.
  In the last 220 years, nearly 21,000 law enforcement officers have 
been killed in the line of duty in the United States, and many more 
have been seriously injured. In Puerto Rico, which is the jurisdiction 
I represent, over 325 law enforcement officers have been killed in the 
line of duty since 1900, with over 40 island officers killed between 
the year 2000 and the year 2010.
  This year, two veteran Puerto Rico police officers were fatally shot 
in the line of duty--Abimael Castro Berrocal and Francis Crespo Mandry. 
Although at least one suspect has been apprehended, other suspects in 
both of these killings remain at large. This morning, these two 
officers, along with over 160 of their brothers and sisters in law 
enforcement who lost their lives in the line of duty in the past year, 
were honored in front of the Capitol as part of the National Peace 
Officers' Memorial Service.
  The overriding purpose of this legislation is to help deter violent 
acts against police officers and, in the event such a violent act 
occurs, to ensure that the perpetrator is quickly apprehended and 
brought to justice. Police officers, unlike young children and seniors, 
are not a vulnerable population group in the traditional sense. They 
are strong, capable, and brave, but every day, they put themselves in 
harm's way to protect us. They have our backs, and it's important that 
we have theirs.
  I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Grimm), who is the sponsor of this legislation.
  Mr. GRIMM. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
  This is truly a very special opportunity for me to speak on this 
bill, H.R. 365, the National Blue Alert Act of 2012. As a former FBI 
special agent, it makes it a very special honor to have the House 
consider this important legislation, especially during National Police 
Week. Think about it. Thousands of law enforcement officers from around 
the world and this country are going to converge on our Nation's 
Capitol to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice: to protect 
the citizens back at home.
  On a personal note, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to 
New York City's police commissioner, Ray Kelly, and to the very brave 
men and women of the NYPD for their service to our great city. I 
encourage all of my colleagues to treat every week as if it were 
National Police Week, because it is truly those sacrifices made by 
these individuals that have inspired me to introduce this important 
legislation.
  During my career in the FBI, I witnessed firsthand the danger posed 
by criminals who attack law enforcement officers and the particular 
threat that they pose to our communities. Time and time again, we have 
seen, if criminals are willing to attack police officers to avoid 
apprehension, then there is no limit to the lengths they will go or to 
the victims they will target simply to avoid being brought to justice.
  According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 173 
officers were killed in the line of duty in 2011. As Members of 
Congress representing New York City and Puerto Rico, it is a sad fact 
for me and for my friend and colleague, Congressman Pierluisi, who is 
the lead cosponsor of this bill, that the New York City Police 
Department and the Puerto Rico Police Department both lost four 
officers--the most of any other agency--in 2011. Now, it is impossible 
to completely transform the hazardous nature of the work our law 
enforcement officers carry out every single day, but there are steps 
that we can take to enhance their safety and to quickly apprehend those 
who put them at risk.

  The National Blue Alert Act does this by creating a national Blue 
Alert communications network within the United States Department of 
Justice to disseminate information on suspects who are being sought in 
connection with the death or injury of a law enforcement officer. 
Similar to the nationwide AMBER Alert system for missing children, the 
Blue Alert would rapidly notify law enforcement agencies, as well as 
the media and the public, in order for them to help aid in the 
apprehension of these extremely violent criminals. Additionally, this 
legislation would further encourage the expansion of the Blue Alert 
program beyond the handful of States where it currently exists by 
helping develop the Blue Alert plans, the regional coordination, and 
the development and implementation of new technologies to improve Blue 
Alert communications.
  This legislation, as we have heard, is supported across the board by 
many law enforcement organizations, and I am certain that the National 
Blue Alert Act will enhance the safety of our communities as well as 
the law enforcement officers who protect them. I encourage its swift 
passage in the full House of Representatives, and I would like to thank 
my lead cosponsor and friend, Mr. Pierluisi.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I would certainly be remiss if I did 
not extend my commendation to the gentleman from New York and to my 
good friend and colleague from Puerto Rico for their leadership and 
their service in bringing this legislation to the floor, also and more 
especially to Chairman Smith and our ranking member, Mr. Conyers, for 
their support in bringing this bill to the floor for consideration.
  Madam Speaker, I fully support the fundamental purpose of this bill, 
which is to create and integrate Blue Alert plans throughout the 50 
States and the U.S. territories in order to disseminate information 
when a law enforcement officer is seriously injured in the line of 
duty. This program is similar to the Silver Alert public notification 
system, which broadcasts information about missing persons, especially 
seniors with Alzheimer's disease; or the America's Missing: 
Broadcasting Emergency Response, known mainly as the AMBER Alert, a 
public notification system about a missing child.

                              {time}  1650

  Similarly, the intent of this legislation is to expeditiously 
apprehend the offenders that kill or hurt law enforcement officers.
  Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to 
protect and to serve the public. Each year, hundreds of law enforcement 
officers are killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. On 
average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty 
every 53 hours. Last year, 173 officers had been killed, up to 13 
percent from 153 killed in the line of duty 2 years ago.
  The Blue Alert system is a cooperative effort among local, State, 
Federal authorities, law enforcement agencies, and the general public. 
It provides a description of an offender who is still at large and may 
include the description of the offender's vehicle and license plate 
information.
  Madam Speaker, I am concerned to learn just this morning that the 
initial provision for a grant program to be made available to States 
and territories in support of the Blue Alert system is nowhere to be 
found in the language of the bill. Instead, the current bill language 
will only provide that the Attorney General shall assign an existing 
officer of the Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator

[[Page H2676]]

of the Blue Alert communications network.
  Madam Speaker, while knowing that the Blue Alert system is not 
mandatory, resources should be made available to the 50 States and 
territories in order for the Blue Alert system network to work 
effectively and efficiently, otherwise the initial purpose of this bill 
will not be met under the current bill text before us today. However, I 
fully support the needs of the Blue Alert system. I urge that a grant 
program be made available to ensure that the law enforcement officers 
in the 50 States and territories are provided equal and fair treatment.
  Again, I want to thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Conyers for 
their support of this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close. I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes).
  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I just wanted to add my support for this 
legislation and thank my colleagues from New York and Puerto Rico for 
introducing this very important piece of legislation.
  As a former Border Patrol agent and chief in the United States Border 
Patrol, I had the experience of working both as an agent with all the 
other law enforcement agencies and then as a chief. I can tell you that 
there isn't a worse feeling than that phone call in the middle of the 
night that one of your agents or one of your officers has been injured 
or killed. That's why this legislation is so important not just to 
officers and agents across the country, but to their families.
  I strongly urge that our colleagues support this very important piece 
of legislation and agree with my colleague from American Samoa that 
more than just the legislation, we ought to do everything we can to 
provide the funding to actually bring this critical program to 
fruition.
  Again, I want to thank my colleagues and also Chairman Smith for 
bringing this legislation to the floor, and I ask all our colleagues to 
strongly support it.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time as well.
  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 365, 
the National Blue Alert Act.
  This important bill directs the Attorney General to establish a 
national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of 
Justice to broadcast information when a law enforcement officer is 
seriously injured or killed in the line of duty.
  It would also assign a Department of Justice officer to act as the 
national coordinator of the Blue Alert Communications Network.
  The Blue Alert System would operate in a similar fashion as the 
``Amber Alert'' system and would be implemented by law enforcement 
agencies and officers at all levels--local, State, and Federal.
  Law enforcement officers and officials are among the bravest 
individuals in today's society.
  Each day, they knowingly risk their personal safety and their lives 
to ensure that our communities are safer and more secure.
  As such, we need to be sure to do all that we can to ensure their 
safety when possible.
  Building and expanding on the existing blue alert networks in various 
states will ensure that important information is sent out in an 
efficient and timely manner.
  I am proud to stand here today and offer my support for this 
important legislation.
  I want to thank the gentleman from New York, Mr. Grimm, for his hard 
work in bringing this important legislation before us today.
  And I also want to thank all the brave men and women who work in law 
enforcement and sacrifice day in and day out for our safety.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, today I rise up in support of H.R. 
365, the National Blue Alert Act of 2011. This bill would create a 
Federal information network that would make it easier to track down and 
prosecute those who seriously injure or kill State and Federal law 
enforcement officers.
  In 2011 a total of 72 law enforcement officers were killed by 
perpetrators, 10 of which were in my home state of California. For the 
first time in 14 years there were more officers killed by gunfire than 
officers killed in traffic accidents.
  Gun violence against law enforcement had declined in recent decades; 
however there was a 70 percent increase from 2008 to 2011. The cause 
for this increase is unknown, but with technology growing better each 
day, and methods becoming more sophisticated, these statistics should 
be going in the opposite direction.
  Some officers attribute the rise in deaths to budget cuts and 
officers not having the necessary resources to ensure their own safety. 
Others believe that the new trend of sending officers to the most 
violent areas of the city as a preventative measure has led to the 
spike. Regardless, this is a problem that needs an immediate solution.
  Due to this dramatic increase in only a few short years, the FBI 
conducted a study which showed many of the officers were killed while 
attempting to arrest or subdue a suspect who already had a history of 
violent crimes. With this information they implemented a new Federal 
program so that now when an officer pulls over a car and runs the 
license plate they will be informed if the suspect has a violent 
criminal record so they can be properly prepared.
  While this new program is a step in the right direction, law 
enforcement officers will always be put in high risk situations. It is 
simply the nature of the job. They put their lives on the line everyday 
to protect the citizens of this country, and they deserve to know their 
government is doing everything it can to provide them with as much 
safety as possible.
  The National Blue Alert Act of 2011 would ease the minds of officers, 
reassuring them of a quick and efficient response should anything 
happen to them while on duty. The bill would also increase the 
likelihood of catching a perpetrator who injures or kills an officer.
  Madam Speaker, every stop an officer makes can be potentially fatal. 
Yet these men and women go to work every day because they know their 
service will save the lives of countless others. With this level of 
self sacrifice the very least we can do as elected officials is provide 
them with the reassurances within the National Blue Alert Act.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to rise up in support of the National Blue 
Alert Act of 2011. A quick response may be all it takes to save the 
life of an officer who gives so much, and asks for so little in return.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 365, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. GRIMM. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

                          ____________________