[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8278]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WEEK

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2001

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Law 
Enforcement Week and the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, 
which was held today.
  America's law enforcement officers are one of our most valuable 
resources. Almost one million individuals nationwide perform an 
incredibly important task as they put their lives in danger on a daily 
basis to protect and serve the people. As a former police officer, and 
the father to a former police officer, I know the inherent risk 
involved in the profession and salute these men and women for their 
efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that since 1993, the 12th District of 
Illinois has received funding for 286 new law enforcement officers 
under the COPS grant funding program. These additional officers have 
worked to increase the safety and well being of my constituents.
  Last year 150 very devoted, brave officers from the ranks of state, 
local and federal service were killed in the line of duty--144 men, and 
6 women were killed. The average age of those killed was 39 years, and 
with an average of 10 years in service.
  In my state of Illinois three police officers died in the line of 
duty during 2000--At this time I would like to read their names into 
the record: Gregory M. Sears, Alane Stoffregen, and William Howard 
Warren. Their names will be etched on the memorial wall, and will join 
4 other officers from Illinois already memorialized. In addition to 
those three officers, I would also like to read into the record the 
names of two fallen officers from the St. Louis, Missouri area, which 
is across the river from the district I represent. The officers are: 
Robert J. Stanze II, St. Louis Police Department, and Richard Eric 
Weinhold, St. Louis County.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting our fallen Peace 
Officers as well as honoring our courageous law enforcement officers. 
These men and women deserve this praise and recognition.

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