[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 151 (Thursday, September 19, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 320--RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS 
                   OF NATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCE WEEK

  Mr. CRAPO (for himself, Mr. Risch, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 320

       Whereas the Senate is committed to the use of forensic 
     science in the investigation of crimes, the prosecution and 
     conviction of the correct perpetrators of crimes, and the 
     exoneration of innocent individuals falsely accused of crimes 
     in the United States;
       Whereas forensic science service providers address critical 
     criminal and civil questions in the United States, including 
     by providing scientific conclusions relating to forensic 
     evidence;
       Whereas forensic science service providers partner with--
       (1) Federal agencies to build and maintain criminal 
     databases relating to latent prints, DNA, and other 
     information relevant to criminal cases; and
       (2) Federal, State, and local agencies to ensure public 
     safety;

       Whereas forensic science service providers serve a vital 
     role in the criminal justice system by providing scientific 
     information to investigators and officers of the court; and
       Whereas the third week in September is recognized as 
     ``National Forensic Science Week'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) it is the sense of the Senate that National Forensic 
     Science Week provides a special opportunity for--
       (A) forensic service providers to--
       (i) recognize the contributions of forensic scientists in 
     the laboratories in which those individuals work;
       (ii) organize community events to encourage a better 
     understanding of forensic science;
       (iii) provide tours to Federal, State, and local 
     policymakers to assist those individuals in gaining better 
     insight into the current capabilities of forensic service 
     providers and future demands that forensic service providers 
     will face; and
       (iv) contact local media outlets and invite those groups to 
     cover events hosted during National Forensic Science Week;
       (B) local policymakers to--
       (i) recognize, through formal commendation or resolution, 
     the contributions of local forensic science laboratories to 
     the communities of those policymakers;
       (ii) formally declare the third week of September to be 
     ``Forensic Science Week'' by proclamation;
       (iii) visit local forensic science laboratories to gain an 
     understanding of the capabilities and needs of those 
     laboratories; and
       (iv) discuss the operational needs of State and local 
     forensic science laboratories;
       (C) members of communities in the United States, including 
     members of the media, to--
       (i) attend community events sponsored by local forensic 
     science laboratories;
       (ii) take tours of local forensic science laboratories; and
       (iii) ask local forensic science laboratories about the 
     operational and legislative needs of those laboratories;
       (D) members of the media to highlight local news stories 
     that focus on the work of local forensic science laboratories 
     in the communities that those laboratories serve; and
       (E) public safety officers, law enforcement officers, and 
     officers of the court to--
       (i) attend community events sponsored by local forensic 
     science laboratories;
       (ii) take tours of local forensic science laboratories;
       (iii) discuss the operational needs of State and local 
     forensic science laboratories; and
       (iv) engage local forensic science laboratories regarding 
     working together more effectively; and
       (2) the Senate supports the goals and ideals of National 
     Forensic Science Week.

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