[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13338-13339]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 231) supporting the goals and ideals of Peace 
Officers Memorial Day.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 231

       Whereas the well-being of all people of the United States 
     is preserved and enhanced as a direct result of the vigilance 
     and dedication of law enforcement personnel;
       Whereas more than 700,000 law enforcement personnel, at 
     great risk to their personal safety, serve their fellow 
     citizens as guardians of peace;
       Whereas peace officers are on the front line in preserving 
     the right of the children of the United States to receive an 
     education in a crime-free environment, a right that is all 
     too often threatened by the insidious fear caused by violence 
     in schools;
       Whereas more than 147 peace officers across the Nation were 
     killed in the line of duty during 2002, well below the 
     decade-long average of 165 deaths annually, and a major drop 
     from 2001 when 230 officers were killed, including 72 
     officers in the September 11th terrorist attacks;
       Whereas every year, 1 out of every 9 peace officers is 
     assaulted, 1 out of every 25 peace officers is injured, and 1 
     out of every 4,400 peace officers is killed in the line of 
     duty;
       Whereas section 136 of title 36, United States Code, 
     requests that the President issue each year a proclamation 
     designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of 
     Federal, State, and local officers killed or disabled in the 
     line of duty; and
       Whereas on May 15, 2003, more than 15,000 peace officers 
     are expected to gather in Washington, D.C. to join with the 
     families of their recently fallen comrades to honor those 
     comrades and all others who went before them: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Peace Officers 
     Memorial Day to honor Federal, State, and local peace 
     officers killed or disabled in the line of duty; and
       (2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     such a day with appropriate ceremonies and respect.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Souder) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).

                              {time}  1445


                             General Leave

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Res. 231.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Indiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 231, introduced by the distinguished 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), supports the goals and ideals of 
Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, 
Drug Policy and Human Resources, I am particularly pleased that the 
House is considering this resolution to honor Federal, State and local 
law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Right 
now, there are over 700,000 law enforcement officers serving this 
Nation. Their sacrifices are among the most valuable that any citizen 
can give to this country, and sadly, as the text of this resolution 
states, on average 165 peace officers give the ultimate sacrifice each 
year while serving their local communities.
  On October 1, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed House Joint 
Resolution 730 into law during the 87th Congress. This resolution 
established a Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15 of every year that 
could honor the selfless devotion of members of the law enforcement 
community who are injured or killed in the line of duty. That was a 
very meaningful resolution then, and I feel this extremely worthwhile 
resolution is also very meaningful now.
  This year, on Peace Officers Memorial Day, the President led a 
memorial service on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol that honored the lives 
of those law enforcement officers lost in the past year. Nearly 20,000 
people were in attendance.
  Mr. Speaker, peace officers protect every single one of us and 
literally put their lives on the line every day to protect our homes, 
families and communities. I hope this resolution can serve as a small 
reminder to all law enforcement officers that this country appreciates 
their service.
  We have had several tragic losses in my home communities as well. I 
have worked with City Counsel President John Crawford in the city of 
Fort Wayne, Indiana, and supported his efforts to build a memorial in 
Fort Wayne for peace officers and other public servants who have fallen 
in the line of duty. We can never thank them enough for their service.
  Therefore, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House 
Resolution 231, and I thank my colleague from Colorado for introducing 
this worthy measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join in support of H. Res. 231, a bill 
supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day, and to 
indicate that I was pleased indeed to be a cosponsor of this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1961, President John F. Kennedy requested that 
Congress designate May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week 
in which it falls, Law Enforcement Appreciation Week. Since then, each 
May, police officers from the Nation's Capital to small communities 
across America pause to honor the sacrifices made by their fellow 
officers. This year, 377 names were added to the National Law 
Enforcement Memorial, including 148 who were killed in the line of duty 
in 2002. The death of a peace officer is a reminder of two things: one, 
the value of life; and, two, the high cost of peace.
  More than 700,000 Americans serve as peace officers and put their 
lives on the line for us each and every day. To keep

[[Page 13339]]

the peace, they go into the most volatile of situations. We owe them 
and their families a debt of gratitude for their service and valor.
  The depth of their commitment and willingness to do the job is 
reflected in this police officer's prayer from the Ellis, Kansas, 
Police Department:

       Lord, I ask for courage: Courage to face and conquer my own 
     fears; courage to take me where others will not go.
       I ask for strength: Strength of body to protect others, and 
     strength of spirit to lead others.
       I ask for dedication: Dedication to my job, to do it well; 
     dedication to my community, to keep it safe.
       And please, Lord, through it all, be by my side.

  This prayer reflects the danger, but also the commitment and 
dedication, the willingness to give of themselves, expressed by so many 
peace officers throughout the Nation.
  I certainly would want to add a debt of thanks to the men and women, 
especially in Chicago, in Cook County and the surrounding areas where I 
live, for the outstanding work that they have done and continue to do.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley).
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and all Members working 
together on this very, very important resolution, House Resolution 231.
  My grandfather, my father and brother-in-law all served as police 
officers, and, thank the Lord, they did so without injury or death. But 
there are thousands who have sacrificed their lives in order to protect 
the peace and tranquility of our community.
  The President spoke last week here on our Capitol grounds relative to 
a tribute to fallen police officers, and it is fitting that we now 
memorialize this on the House floor.
  There is no finer occupation, and I am torn between several that I 
admire greatly, with public education and teachers being one. But law 
enforcement personnel and fire fighters are true heroes in the sense 
that they go to work each and every day not knowing what to anticipate 
at the end of their shift or during their shift. They patrol back 
alleys, they come across frightening situations. They are constantly 
putting their lives on the line for the betterment of humanity.
  Young fire fighters and police officers went racing up the World 
Trade Center without worrying about their own lives, but making certain 
they served those who were trapped, and tried to rescue as many as 
possible. Those are heroes.
  Whether it is helping a student across a playground or a crossing 
zone, or intercepting a murderer, or more recently, the 21-year-old 
police officer that apprehended the Atlanta bomber, these are vigilant, 
dedicated, risk-taking public servants whose first goal is to make 
certain we are safe.
  So I hope, as we vote on this resolution, that those listening to our 
voices take a moment to thank those serving today, who have made it 
through without risk of injury or death, thank their family members who 
sacrifice each and every day, for their husband or wife, for their son 
or daughter, sister, brother, who choose to do this work and arm 
themselves to protect the citizens of our communities, give them a 
thumb's up and a hearty handshake and thanks for their job well done.
  For those who rest in peace, your sacrifice and devotion to our 
Nation and the security of this Nation will never be forgotten.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Colorado for 
introducing this important legislation honoring the peace officers of 
America. I urge all Members to support the adoption of this resolution.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Stupak), who has a tremendous amount of interest in law enforcement and 
has dedicated much of his life and work in that area.
  Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the peace officers 
from around the country who came to Washington on May 15th to 
commemorate and honor the 147 peace officers who died last year in the 
line of duty. Today we recognize National Peace Officers Memorial Day 
and pay tribute to the commitment, sacrifice, and public safety 
services these officers provide on a daily basis.
  As we all know, September 11th, 2001 stands out as one of the most 
tragic days in American history. That fateful Tuesday, we lost 72 
police officers, the largest loss of law enforcement personnel in a 
single day.
  While September 11th offered an extreme glimpse of law enforcement 
service and sacrifice, similar acts of heroism and valor are performed 
every day by police officers across our nation.
  Last year, more than 147 peace officers across this Nation were 
killed in the line of duty during 2002. Thankfully, the 147 peace 
officers killed last year is well below the decade long average of 165 
deaths and a major drop from 2001 when 230 officers were killed.
  Peace officers in every community have an admirable record of service 
and sacrifice, yet too many Americans lack a true understanding and 
appreciation of law enforcement's worth. That is why I worked a few 
years ago to establish the National Law Enforcement Museum in 
Washington, D.C.
  Unlike any other job, peace officers face unprecedented risks while 
bravely protecting our communities and our freedoms. I hope my 
colleagues will join me today in paying tribute to our nation's fallen 
officers and expressing our gratitude for the work these men and women 
performed.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 231. The 
resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the Peace Officer's 
Memorial Day.
  One hundred and forty eight law enforcement officers were killed in 
the line of duty this past year, including ten officers from my home 
state of California. Their names are inscribed upon the National Law 
Enforcement Officers' Memorial, in Washington, D.C., forever visible, 
to the public in recognition of the sacrifices peace officers make for 
our safety.
  We must not forget that law enforcement officers are vital to our 
Homeland Security. Like our veterans, law enforcement officers are 
involved in a battle to protect our communities. Like our veterans, 
peace officers deserve our continued support and recognition for their 
sacrifices.
  Our law enforcement officers deserve respect and gratitude for 
protecting our communities. We must honor and remember the sacrifices 
that they make, especially if they lose their lives in the line of 
duty. We must preserve their memory and let their families know their 
deaths were not in vain.
  I support H. Res. 231 in honor of the many men and women who have 
lost their lives enforcing the law and preserving the safety of our 
nation.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 231.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. 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 and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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