[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12027-12028]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING POLICE OFFICERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2003

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, today many of us will join law enforcement 
officers from

[[Page 12028]]

across the country on the west lawn of the Capitol to honor police 
officers killed in the line of duty. I have a special affinity for our 
men and women in blue, especially the members of the Chicago Police 
Department, including my Uncle Les who has been on the force for as 
long as I can remember.
  This year 337 names will be added to the National Law Enforcement 
Officers Memorial. I find it ironic that as we remember these lost 
heroes, the Republican leadership refuses to renew the Assault Weapons 
Ban. Even worse, they will not even allow the bill to be called for a 
vote in the House. Is this the best way we could choose to honor our 
fallen officers? Is this how we should remember Donald Marquez, a 20 
year veteran of the Chicago Police Department who was gunned down while 
trying to serve a summons?
  Year after year gunshot wounds are the leading killers of police 
officers on duty. Keeping guns out of the hand of criminals would be an 
even better tribute, and as a member of Congress I will work hard to 
make our streets safer. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join 
me in this endeavor.

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