[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 9092-9094]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS' 
                            MEMORIAL SERVICE

  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 136) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 136

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), 

     SECTION 1. USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE 
                   OFFICERS' MEMORIAL SERVICE.

       (a) In General.--The Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of 
     Police and its auxiliary (in this resolution referred to as 
     the ``sponsor'') shall be permitted to sponsor a public 
     event, the 24th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial 
     Service (in this resolution referred to as the ``event''), on 
     the Capitol Grounds, in order to honor the law enforcement 
     officers who died in the line of duty during 2004.
       (b) Date of Event.--The event shall be held on May 15, 
     2005, or on such other date as the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration 
     of the Senate jointly designate.

     SEC. 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

       (a) In General.--Under conditions to be prescribed by the 
     Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board, the 
     event shall be--
       (1) free of admission charge and open to the public; and
       (2) arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress.
       (b) Expenses and Liabilities.--The sponsor shall assume 
     full responsibility for all expenses and liabilities incident 
     to all activities associated with the event.

     SEC. 3. EVENT PREPARATIONS.

       Subject to the approval of the Architect of the Capitol, 
     the sponsor is authorized to erect upon the Capitol Grounds 
     such stage, sound amplification devices, and other related 
     structures and equipment, as may be required for the event.

     SEC. 4. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS.

       The Capitol Police Board shall provide for enforcement of 
     the restrictions contained in section 5104(c) of title 40, 
     United States Code, concerning sales, advertisements, 
     displays, and solicitations on the Capitol Grounds, as well 
     as other restrictions applicable to the Capitol Grounds, in 
     connection with the event.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent) and the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. 
Schwartz) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent).
  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 136 authorizes the use of 
the Capitol grounds for the annual National Peace Officers' Memorial 
Service to take place on May 15, 2005. The Grand Lodge of the Fraternal 
Order of Police and its auxiliary are the sponsors wishing to honor 
some of America's bravest men and women. The memorial service will 
honor the 154 Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers who 
made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting their communities in 2004.
  I would especially like to recognize the seven peace officers killed 
in the line of duty in 2004 from my home State of Pennsylvania.
  This is the 24th time that this event has been held on the grounds of 
the Capitol. This memorial service is part of National Police Week, 
which was created by law in 1962; and this year begins today and 
continues until May 15.

[[Page 9093]]

  Police Week draws officers, their families, and the survivors of 
fallen officers from around the country and includes such events as the 
Blue Mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, a candlelight vigil at the 
National Law Enforcement Memorial, and a police unity tour featuring 
officers and historic vehicles.
  This event begins at noon on Sunday and, following the ceremony on 
the Capitol grounds, will continue with a procession to the Law 
Enforcement Memorial followed by a wreath-laying ceremony.
  I encourage my colleagues to attend this much-deserved memorial 
service to honor those who are on the front lines, protecting the 
communities we live in, and work to serve.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 136 authorizes the use of 
the Capitol grounds for the 24th annual National Peace Officers' 
Memorial Service, a most solemn and respectful public event honoring 
our Nation's brave civil servants. The event, scheduled for May 15, 
will be coordinated by the Office of the Architect of the Capitol and 
the Capitol Hill Police.
  This is a fitting tribute to the Federal, State, and local police 
officers who gave their lives while protecting our families, our homes, 
and our places of work. This year, 153 names will be added to the 
memorial wall, including nine women who were killed in the line of 
duty. These fallen heroes served an average of 12 years in law 
enforcement, with some serving as many as 40 years. Others, like one 
20-year-old officer, had only just begun what he had hoped would be 
years of service to his community.
  On average, one officer is killed in this country every other day, 
and approximately 23,000 are injured every year. And thousands more are 
assaulted while on duty. In 2004, seven law enforcement officers from 
the State of Pennsylvania were killed in the line of duty.
  In the early morning hours of March 19, Philadelphia City Pretrial 
Warrant Supervisor Joseph LeClaire was shot and killed while serving an 
arrest warrant in West Germantown to a man who had failed to appear in 
court during two trials, one for a drug charge, the second for a rape 
case. Officers Vincent Disandra and Carlo Delborrello were also shot 
and wounded during the encounter.
  Shortly after 11 a.m. on March 31 in Bradford County, Deputy Sheriffs 
Christopher Burgert, who was 30, and Michael Vankuren, 36, were shot 
and killed while trying to serve two warrants to a man living in Wells 
Township.
  In the early morning of April 20, Sergeant James Miller, a 28-year 
veteran of the Upper Dublin Police Department, died when his police 
vehicle rolled over during an accident.
  And Police Chief Douglas Shertzer, a 23-year veteran of his 
department, was killed in a motorcycle accident on the morning of May 
11 while en route to begin his patrol.
  Patrolman Michael Wise II of Reading City Police Department was shot 
in the line of duty on the night of June 5 while searching for a murder 
suspect.
  And, finally, Elk Lick Township Police Chief Sheridan Caton, 60, was 
killed in a head-on collision while responding to a request for a 
backup from a neighboring police department. The driver of the second 
vehicle was charged with driving while under the influence.
  These public servants are sorely missed; and they deserve our deepest 
respect, and their families have our most sincere sympathies.
  In October, 1962, President Kennedy declared May 15 as National Peace 
Officers' Memorial Day so that we could come together to honor the 
service and sacrifice of our Nation's law enforcement officers. This 
year's ceremony is the 24th anniversary of this memorial service. 
Consistent with all Capitol Hill events, the memorial service will be 
free and open to the public.
  I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this tribute to our fallen police officers and peace 
officers.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues in 
support of the concurrent resolution. On May 15, 2005, America will 
observe National Peace Officers' Memorial Day and hold the National 
Memorial Service. We commemorate this day each year to honor the heroes 
of law enforcement who have lost their lives in the line of duty. As 
the Ranking Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, which 
has jurisdiction over the U.S. Capitol Police, the Library of Congress 
Police, and the Government Printing Office Police, this year's 
observance has additional significance for me. On this occasion, I rise 
to offer the tribute of the Californians I have the honor to represent, 
and my Committee's, as well as my own.
  The need for such a memorial day arose in the earliest days of our 
republic. Since America's first line-of-duty death was recorded in 
1792, more than 16,500 men and women have fallen, including three 
Capitol Police officers, one in 1984, and two in 1998. Nationwide, 153 
officers died in the line of duty last year, 13 of them in California, 
according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Thus, 
in 2004, somewhere in the United States a law-enforcement officer fell 
in the line of duty ever 57 hours.
  I wish it were not so, Madam Speaker. We all wish it were not so. But 
at least 35 have already fallen in 2005, and still others will follow. 
If anyone among us could do anything to prevent even one more law-
enforcement officer's death, we would surely do it. I certainly hope 
that this Congress, every state legislature, and every other 
policymaking body will do everything possible to prevent more such 
deaths.
  Madam Speaker, as we pause on this year's National Peace Officers' 
Memorial Day to reflect upon the sacrifices made by the valiant men and 
women of law enforcement who have given their lives for our 
communities, let us resolve to cherish their memory on May 15 and every 
day. Let us also honor the brave men and women now working across this 
land who may, at any moment of any shift, give their lives to make us 
safe. Let us resolve to show them our respect and gratitude every day 
of the year. I urge all Members to vote for the resolution.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 136, 
to authorize use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace 
Officers' Memorial Service on May 15, 2005.
  In October 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National 
Peace Officers' Memorial Day. Each year on this date we, as a Nation, 
have an opportunity to honor the devotion with which peace officers 
perform their daily task of protecting our families, co-workers, 
friends, and each of us. The 2005 event marks the 24th anniversary of 
the Capitol Hill event. In the post September 11th environment, the 
work of selfless police and firemen has become our model of courage and 
moral strength.
  There are approximately 700,000 sworn law enforcement officers 
serving the American public today. Officers work for states, counties, 
U.S. territories, federal enforcement, military police, and corrections 
departments. Ten percent of law enforcement officers are women.
  During 2004, 153 peace officers were killed in the line of duty; of 
those killed, nine were women. The average age of those killed in the 
line of duty was 37 years.
  It is most fitting and proper to honor the lives, sacrifices, and 
public service of these brave men and women. I urge support for H. Con. 
Res. 136.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
136, a resolution that honors and celebrates the 24th Annual National 
Peace Officers' Memorial Service Observance Day on May 15, 2005. As a 
former police officer, I salute those law enforcement officials who 
died in the line of duty in 2004 and continue to honor those police 
officers who gave their lives in past years. As a member of the 
Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, I strongly support critical 
funding for programs, such as the Community Oriented Policing Services 
(COPS) program, to hire additional police officers and help law 
enforcement acquire the latest crime-fighting technologies. I will 
continue to be a strong supporter of the law enforcement community and 
will advocate on behalf of public safety in Congress. I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise to support the many 
police and peace officers across this country who have made the 
ultimate sacrifice to keep our families and our communities safe, and 
to lend my support to H. Con. Res. 136, which authorizes the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.

[[Page 9094]]

  During this year's service, on May 15, our nation will honor one more 
fallen hero from Minnesota's Capital City. Last week my community was 
stunned and saddened by the death of St. Paul Police Sgt. Gerald Vick, 
who was killed in an act of senseless violence in the line of duty. 
Sgt. Vick knew well the dangers of his job, yet he exemplified the 
great bravery and selfless commitment of our city's finest.
  After graduating from St. Paul's police academy in 1989, Sgt. Vick's 
career had ``upward mobility,'' written all over it, according to the 
city's former chief of police. His personnel file was filled with 
approving letters from the chief. Sgt. Vick went above and beyond to 
protect our community and keep it a safe and healthy place to raise a 
family, After being promoted to sergeant in 1999 where he could have 
taken a much safer desk job, he only wanted to get back on the streets 
to the part of the job he love the most--working with the community.
  Twice Sgt. Vick was awarded the St. Paul Police Department's highest 
honor, the Medal of Valor. The first time was in 1990 when he saved an 
infant from a burning building, then again in 1997 when he shot and 
killed an armed robbery suspect who pulled a gun on him. Sgt. Vick 
served for 16 years on the Saint Paul police force and was a true 
public servant. Jerry died on May 6, 2005 protecting the community--the 
job he loved so much. He will be deeply missed by his family, his 
friends, and his fellow officers.
  I wish to express my sincere condolences as well as my thoughts and 
prayers to all those who loved and worked with Sgt. Gerald Vick.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I have no further 
requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 136.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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