[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 79 (Monday, May 13, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          National Police Week

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, this week marks National Police Week, 
which is dedicated to the brave men and women of law enforcement. 
Police officers prioritize the safety of their neighbors and fellow 
citizens above their own.
  This week gives us an opportunity to reflect on the dedication and 
perseverance of law enforcement officers across the country. We should 
also honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our 
communities. It is because of the commitment and bravery of police 
officers, firefighters, first responders, and other public safety 
officers that we can feel safe in our homes, places of work, and our 
communities.
  I am particularly grateful for the men and women in blue who serve my 
fellow Iowans.
  I would also like to thank the officers who serve in Washington, DC. 
The Capitol Police work diligently every day to ensure that those of us 
who work here and everyone who visits this Capitol are safe. Each 
member of the Capitol Police works selflessly to protect us, and their 
dedication to service doesn't go unnoticed.
  National Police Week serves as a reminder to thank specific members 
of law enforcement whom we know and care about; however, we can't 
forget to honor those who sacrificed their lives to protect ours. These 
individuals are heroes.
  According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, a 
total of 1,582 officers died in the line of duty during the past 10 
years. That is an average of one death every 55 hours.
  In 2018, 158 officers were killed in the line of duty.
  At the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the names of some 
200 Iowans are inscribed amongst those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 
Each name represents a unique individual who answered the call of duty. 
We are indebted to each and every one of those people.
  To that end, I am pleased that the Senate Judiciary Committee 
recently approved three bills, two of which I cosponsored and one that 
I introduced.
  My bill, the Protecting America's First Responder's Act, seeks to fix 
issues in the Federal Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program. 
Officers whose lives have been transformed by injury in the line of 
duty deserve our support, and that bill lends to their support and 
makes sure that it is actually accomplished. Unfortunately, the Federal 
program that was created to assist them has fallen short in responding 
to claims efficiently. This important bill improves this program to 
ensure that disabled or fallen officers receive the benefits they 
deserve.
  My bill enjoys the wide support of multiple groups, including the 
Fraternal Order of Police, Federal Law Enforcement Officers 
Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association, National Association of 
Police Organizations, Peace Officers Research Association of 
California, Wounded Blue, How2LoveOurCops, Billings Montana Police 
Department, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Association of 
School Resource Officers, and the Violently Injured Police Officers 
Organization.
  I look forward to passing this bill into law, and I thank all of the 
bill's cosponsors for helping to move this bill forward.
  In addition to the Protecting America's First Responder's Act, we 
also moved two other bills out of the Judiciary Committee.
  The first is the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant 
Program reauthorization. This bill allows State and local law 
enforcement officers to purchase lifesaving bulletproof vests for those 
officers working in the field. I am happy to cosponsor this legislation 
and support my colleague Senator Leahy's tireless efforts to improve 
the availability of bulletproof vests to our police.
  The other bill that passed out of committee last week is the 
Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis Act. Mental illness and 
suicide among police officers continue to grow. Senator Hawley 
introduced this bill, and I am proud to cosponsor it with him because 
it addresses a critical issue that far too many officers face. This 
bill seeks to provide necessary resources to law enforcement on mental 
health and suicide prevention.
  I urge my colleagues to support all three of these bills. Passing 
them into law is one way to say thank you to the brave men and women 
who serve us so selflessly.
  I would like to conclude my remarks by once again thanking all 
members of law enforcement for their dedication and sacrifice.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.