[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 8202-8205]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 788) supporting the goals and 
ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 788

       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 870,000 law enforcement personnel in the 
     United States 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 155 peace officers across the Nation were killed in 
     the line of duty during 2005, well below the decade-long 
     average of 164 deaths annually, and a major drop from 2001 
     when 237 officers were killed, including 72 officers in the 
     September 11th terrorist attacks;
       Whereas a law enforcement officer is killed in the United 
     States every 53 hours, and there are 56,000 assaults against 
     our law enforcement officers each year, resulting in 16,000 
     injuries;
       Whereas section 136 of title 36, United States Code, 
     requests that the President issue an annual 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, 2006, more than 20,000 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 have fallen 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,

[[Page 8203]]

     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 
Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) and the gentlewoman from the District of 
Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution 
under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, each day, law enforcement officers in this country 
face grave danger as they protect the rights and freedoms we enjoy as 
Americans. Their commitment and sacrifice make our streets safer, our 
neighborhoods stronger, and our families more secure.
  May 15 is set aside each year to honor the service and sacrifice of 
America's law enforcement officers and their families. It also promotes 
increased public support for the law enforcement profession and helps 
to promote law enforcement safety. The more than 850,000 men and women 
who guard our communities do so at great risk. Each year, one in 15 
officers is assaulted, one in 46 is injured, and one in 5,255 is killed 
in the line of duty.
  After the hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center in New York City 
on 9/11, 72 peace officers died while trying to ensure their fellow 
citizens got to safety. That act of terrorism resulted in the highest 
number of peace officers killed in a single incident in the history of 
this country.
  Just 8 days ago, the tragedy of an officer killed in the line of duty 
struck my community in Fairfax County. Police officer Vicky Armel was 
killed and two officers were wounded after a gunman opened fire with 
high-powered weapons in the parking lot of a Chantilly police station 
during a shift change. These tragic events shook the community, and the 
Fairfax police force, to the core.
  It is important to recognize the sacrifices that these officers and 
their families make each day to ensure that we will have a safe 
environment in which to live, work, and raise our families. National 
Peace Officers Memorial Day will provide the people of the United 
States with an opportunity to honor the extraordinary service and 
sacrifice given year after year by our police forces.
  The annual ceremony, which was held the evening of May 13, featured 
several contributions from police officers all over the country, 
including the singing of the National Anthem by Fairfax County, 
Virginia, police officer Laura Zambron. Following the ceremony, 
prominent law enforcement leaders, survivors, and law enforcement 
supporters read the names of the 466 fallen officers whose names were 
officially added to the memorial.
  I urge all Members to come together to honor the dedication of these 
brave men and women, like Detective Armel, by adopting House Resolution 
788.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, each day, peace officers nobly protect our families, 
friends, and neighbors from crime and work to improve the quality of 
life for all of us. For that, they deserve our sincere appreciation and 
respect.
  While it is impossible to suitably thank these brave Americans for 
the tremendous sacrifices they make, we pause this week to salute them 
for their courage, dedication, and service and to pay our respects to 
those who have fallen in the line of duty.
  In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 of every year as 
Peace Officers Memorial Day. This day was set forth to give special 
recognition to the brave men and women who protect our lives every day, 
often at great risk to their health and lives.
  On average, a crime is committed in this country every 2 seconds, and 
you can rest assured that one of the nearly 800,000 law enforcement 
officers in this great country will respond promptly and courageously, 
no matter how dangerous the situation might be. It is appropriate that 
we both honor current peace officers and memorialize fallen heroes for 
the safety and assistance they provide us all.
  Recent events just miles from this building in Fairfax, Virginia, 
offered a clear and present example of the dangers law enforcement 
officers face each day. In this past year alone, 155 law officers were 
killed and over 10,000 were assaulted in the line of duty as they 
protected and served their communities. While this number is down from 
the previous decade's average of 169 annually, it is still very 
unacceptable.
  This week, thousands of law enforcement officers from around the 
country gathered in Washington, D.C., to pay tribute and to mourn 
together. Those of us who benefit from their hard work and sacrifice 
also honor their work and sacrifices. We all owe them a debt of 
gratitude that we can never repay.
  Madam Speaker, I support the goals and ideals of Peace Officers 
Memorial Day, as I am sure every Member of the House does, to honor 
Federal, State and local peace officers killed or disabled in the line 
of duty; and I support this day to honor those who stand for us every 
day in the line of duty. I call upon the people of the United States to 
observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies and respect, wherever 
they are.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. 
Hefley), the author of this resolution.
  Mr. HEFLEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for bringing this to 
the floor today. This is something we don't have to sell.
  Madam Speaker, I rise, as the chairman and ranking member have to 
honor more than 20,000 peace officers from around the Nation who are 
visiting Washington, D.C., this week in honor of Peace Officers 
Memorial Day and National Police Week. These officers will commemorate 
the lives of 155 officers who died last year in the line of duty.
  Today, we recognize May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day 
and pay tribute to the commitment, sacrifice, and public safety and the 
services these officers provide for all Americans on a daily basis.
  As we all know, September 11 stands out as one of the most tragic 
days in American history. We lost 72 police officers on that one day. 
That is the most on any single day in history. While that was unusual 
and an extreme example, these law enforcement officers are serving us 
and sacrificing and protecting us, showing heroism and valor every day 
in every community around the Nation.
  Last year, as I said, 155 police officers were killed in the line of 
duty. Though unquestionably this is tragic, the 155 deaths were below 
the decade-long average of 163. Still, this is the second consecutive 
year that the numbers have increased and a trend that must come to an 
end in 2006, and thankfully is on track to do so so far.
  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. This is why several years ago 
I participated in establishing the National Law Enforcement Museum in 
Washington, D.C. This past Saturday, 466 names of brave men and women 
were officially added to the memorial, including seven from my own home 
State of Colorado.
  Peace officers face unprecedented risks, while bravely protecting our 
communities and our freedoms, and I hope my colleagues will join me 
today in paying tribute to our Nation's fallen

[[Page 8204]]

officers and expressing our gratitude for the work these men and women 
do for us every day.

                              {time}  1445

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Kind).
  Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague from 
the District for yielding me this time.
  Madam Speaker, I do rise in support of this resolution which is 
supporting the goals and the ideals of the Peace Officers Memorial.
  Madam Speaker, as a former prosecutor and special prosecutor in the 
State of Wisconsin, it was my honor, or privilege really, of being able 
to work each day with these law enforcement officers in our community 
and throughout the State. I have always been impressed with their 
dedication and professionalism, their commitment to the community.
  These men and women in uniform wake up every morning with a shared 
goal of trying to make our communities just a little bit safer, trying 
to make us and our children and grandchildren and all of our families 
just a little bit safer during the day.
  And all too often we hear the tragic stories or read about it or see 
on the news of fallen officers who fell in the line of duty. And it is 
right and proper that we have a National Peace Officers Memorial Day to 
honor their sacrifice made on behalf of all of us.
  But what we do not hear about is the tremendous courage and 
dedication that officers exhibit each and every day and the cases that 
they sometimes find themselves in, which places their life and safety 
in great danger. And this, unfortunately, occurs on an all too frequent 
basis.
  Madam Speaker, I also want to just take a moment and commend a member 
of my own family, my youngest brother, Terry Kind, for his years of 
dedicated service as a police officer for the Town of Holmen Police 
Department in western Wisconsin.
  I have the chance to talk to him from time to time to try to keep a 
foot in the law enforcement community back home. And sometimes the 
stories that he relates to me are blood-curdling and quite startling. 
Not only talking about the victims of crime, but also the incredible 
danger that our officers face from time to time.
  Madam Speaker, I would encourage all of my colleagues to support this 
resolution today. I want to commend my colleagues on the floor here for 
bringing this resolution forward and speaking so favorably about it. I 
also want to commend and thank those law enforcement officers across 
our country who do a tremendous job under very difficult and dangerous 
circumstances each and every day of their dedicated lives.
  Mr. CANTOR, Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution to support the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial 
Day.
  Recently, Virginia lost Detective Vicky Armel with the Fairfax County 
Police Department. Our Nation and the Commonwealth of Virginia 
experienced great loss as this fine police officer gave her life in 
line of duty.
  Law enforcement officers take a solemn oath to protect and serve the 
communities they serve. With honor, they uphold our laws and protect 
the innocent.
  As a nine-year veteran of the force, Detective Armel specialized in 
burglary crimes. She worked tirelessly each day to investigate and 
bring to justice those criminals who violated our homes, property, and 
peace of mind.
  Her loss is felt deeply by her husband, Tyler, who is also a proud 
member of the Fairfax County Police Department, and their two children, 
4-year-old daughter Mason and 7-year-old son Thomas. I stand with 
Detective Armel's community and congregation in support of her family.
  Detective Armel's dedication and the sacrifices she made symbolize 
the honor of the law enforcement profession. Our thoughts and prayers 
are with her family, friends, and the community in which she served as 
we honor her passing on this Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  Recently, Virginia lost Officer Gary J. Buro of the Chesterfield 
County Police Department. Our Nation and the Commonwealth of Virginia 
experienced great loss as this fine police officer gave his life in 
line of duty.
  Law enforcement officers take a solemn oath to protect and serve the 
communities they serve. With honor, they uphold our laws and protect 
the innocent.
  Officer Buro proudly served his Nation at home and abroad. As a U.S. 
Marine during the Gulf War, he defended our Constitution and fought to 
liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's grasp. After returning home, he 
began a distinguished 11-year career in law enforcement. He served with 
the Lantana, Florida and New York City Police Departments. Only 
recently, Officer Buro brought his experience and dedication to 
Virginia and joined the Chesterfield County Police Department in 
January of this year.
  Officer Buro's dedication and the sacrifices he made symbolize the 
honor of the law enforcement profession. Our thoughts and prayers are 
with his family, friends, and the community in which he served as we 
honor his passing on this Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 788, 
a resolution that honors and celebrates the 25th Annual National Peace 
Officers' Memorial Service Observance Day on May 15, 2006. President 
John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers' 
Memorial Day in 1962. However, it was not until May 15, 1982 that the 
first National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service was held in 
Washington, DC. It is important that all citizens know and understand 
the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of their law 
enforcement agencies. The memorial that was created in Washington, DC 
stands as a daily reminder of these dangers facing our law enforcement 
officers and of how these brave men and women died facing them.
  As a former police officer, I salute those law enforcement officials 
who died in the line of duty in 2005 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.
  Madam Speaker, in honor of the law enforcement officers who, through 
their courageous deeds, have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to 
their community or have become disabled in the performance of duty, I 
ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and paying respect to our 
fallen heroes. As a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 788, I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to say thank you to the 
850,000 police officers who go to work in our communities each day, and 
to pay tribute to the more than 17,000 who have made the ultimate 
sacrifice, and whose names are inscribed on th National Law Enforcement 
Officers Memorial.
  As a former officer with the Michigan State Police and Escanaba City 
Police Department, as well as founder and co-chair of the Law 
Enforcement Caucus, I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this resolution, 
and I want to thank Congressman Hefley for introducing it again this 
year.
  Everyday, our Nation's police officers face danger and uncertainty in 
order to keep us safe. There are 56,000 assaults against law 
enforcement officers each year; and last year, 155 peace officers were 
killed in the line of duty, including five from my own state of 
Michigan. They leave behind husbands, wives, parents, and children, who 
supported them and believed in their work, and who now need and deserve 
our support.
  I want to take a moment to thank organizations like Concerns of 
Police Survivors and Thin Blue Line that work to help give a voice and 
a helping hand to the families of officers who are killed. These 
compassionate organizations help to remind us that the law enforcement 
community goes beyond those who wear the uniform to include the 
families who share the risks that come with a career in police work. 
The ceremonies of this past weekend are for them, to commemorate their 
commitment and their sacrice, and to let them know that their Nation 
shares their loss and that their loved ones did not die in vain.
  I also think that we need to go beyond the usual gestures to offer 
the families of fallen officers real, material support. We need to 
fully fund critical law enforcement programs like the Byrne Grant 
program, which was named for a fallen officer and which has helped to 
provide vital funding for organizations like Thin Blue Line. This 
program has been under attack by the administration in recent years, 
and I call on my colleagues to show the familes and officers gathered 
here this week that we mean to support them with our resources as well 
as our words.

[[Page 8205]]

  In addition, I am especially proud to have introduced a piece of 
legislation that will provide health insurance coverage to the 
survivors of public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty. 
This bill, H.R. 4424, has been endorsed by leading national law 
enforcement organizations, and will help to relieve the financial 
strain on police survivors in the wake of the most traumatic possible 
loss. I think this legislation is an example of the kind of practical 
support that we can provide to law enforcement officers and their 
families, and I hope to see it move forward in the coming year.
  After September 11, this Congress seemed to recognize the heroic 
nature of the work that our law enforcement officers do, and the 
importance of supporting them fully. However, I am concerned that we 
have begun to lose sight of our priorities in recent years. Funding for 
essential programs like COPS has been declining, and even highly 
successful programs like the Byrne Grant are being threatened with 
elimination. I believe that we need to go back to the model that helped 
to radically reduce crime across this country in the Clinton years: 
funding to put cops on the streets, support for succesful local 
programs, and federal commitment to initiatives, like communications 
interoperability, that help to make our first responders more 
effective.
  This week should serve as a chance for us to renew our commitment to 
the men and women of the law enforcement community. Today, we have the 
chance to honor them with our words, through the excellent resolution 
that Mr. Hefley has introduced. For the rest of the year, let's make 
sure that we are honoring and supporting them through our priorities 
and our actions. It is the least we can do for the officers and 
families who do so much for us every day.
  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time, and urge Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 
788.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 788.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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