[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11548-11552]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 291) supporting the goals and ideals 
of Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 291

       Whereas there are more than 870,000 sworn law enforcement 
     officers throughout the United States;
       Whereas law enforcement officers are dedicated to serving 
     this country, and protecting this country and its citizens 
     from harm;
       Whereas law enforcement officers face dangers and threats 
     to their personal safety each day;
       Whereas more than 56,000 law enforcement officers are 
     assaulted every year;
       Whereas every 53 hours, a law enforcement officer in the 
     United States is killed in the line of duty;
       Whereas 143 law enforcement officers were killed in the 
     line of duty in 2006, 12 fewer than the 155 officers killed 
     in 2005;
       Whereas Public Law 87-726 requests that the President issue 
     proclamations designating May 15th of each year as National 
     Peace Officers Memorial Day; and
       Whereas section 7(m) of title 4, United States Code, 
     requires that the flag of the United States be flown at half-
     staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day: 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 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of House 
Resolution 291, which honors our fallen law enforcement officers.
  H. Res. 291, which has 72 cosponsors, was introduced by 
Representative Ted Poe of Texas on March 29, 2007. H. Res. 291 was 
reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007, by a voice vote.
  Historically, America has been blessed with citizens of courage and 
character who have dedicated their lives to keeping peace in our 
communities. Five years after the creation of the U.S. Marshals Service 
in 1789, U.S. Marshal Robert Forsyth was shot and killed in the line of 
duty. He was the first of more than 14,000 law enforcement personnel 
since that time to give his or her life to uphold the law.

[[Page 11549]]

  Last year, 143 officers gave their lives in the line of duty. For 
these heroes, the safety of their fellow citizens was their purpose and 
passion. They made the ultimate sacrifice to fulfill their duty and 
service to humanity.
  Each year, the President issues a proclamation naming May 15 as 
National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Our Nation owes a lasting debt 
and gratitude to the men and women of law enforcement who risk their 
lives each day to protect and serve the citizens of this Nation.
  Every American should honor peace officers, not only in words and 
ceremony but in their commitment to promote justice, fairness and peace 
in their homes, communities, schools and businesses.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Poe for seeking to honor our 
fallen heroes, and I urge swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  H. Res. 291 supports the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial 
Day to honor Federal, State and local law enforcement officers killed 
in the line of duty, and encourages the citizens of the United States 
to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and respect.
  Police officers have been protecting American citizens since April 
1631, when the city of Boston first established its ``night watch'' law 
enforcement program in the colonies. There is a quote by President 
George H.W. Bush engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers 
Memorial located at Judiciary Square here in Washington which 
summarizes the mission of the 870,000 current sworn law enforcement 
officers in the United States. It states that it is their daily ``quest 
to preserve both democracy and decency, and to protect a national 
treasure that we call the American Dream.''
  Law enforcement officers face dangers on the job every single day. On 
May 17, 1792, New York City's Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith became the 
first recorded police officer to be killed in the line of duty. Today, 
more than 56,000 are assaulted each year, and every 53 hours an officer 
is killed while serving the American people. September 11, 2001, was 
the deadliest day for police officers in all of American history when 
72 officers were killed while responding to terrorist attacks.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the life of Sergeant Howard Plouff 
from my district, who was killed recently in the line of duty. He was 
known as an honorable man who selflessly served his family and 
community for more than 17 years in the Winston-Salem Police 
Department. He was dedicated to community development and service. His 
is a legacy of the spirit of service that permeates this great country.

                              {time}  1645

  He earned the respect of his fellow officers and did not hesitate to 
go above and beyond the call of duty. In fact, during his time with the 
Winston-Salem Police Department, he was awarded its highest honor, the 
Medal of Valor. He left behind a loving wife and two daughters. He was 
an extremely positive role model and an example of all the officers we 
are honoring with this resolution.
  May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day, a holiday created in 1961 by 
Congress to honor fallen law enforcement officers who dedicated their 
lives to protecting this country and its citizens. The flag is flown at 
half staff and thousands of people visit the memorial which was 
authorized by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Built in 1989, it 
currently has 17,912 names etched into the wall. Each of these names 
reminds us of the sacrifices these brave law enforcement officers have 
given in order to keep American citizens safe. They also stand for 
those living officers who would, without hesitation, do the same to 
protect all of us.
  With gratitude to our law enforcement officers' devotion and 
dedication to our country, I ask all Members to join me in supporting 
H. Res. 291.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-
Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an appropriate resolution that comes before us. 
I know that in a couple of days many of us will be out on the West Lawn 
commemorating and celebrating the Nation's law enforcement officers 
from across the Nation. We welcome them to this Congress every year, 
and we do so humbly and with great appreciation.
  Let me acknowledge the work that many of us have done with our local 
law enforcement in the State of Texas. We have a multitude of law 
disciplines, from the constables office. I have the privilege of 
representing the first African American constable, Mae Walker, and 
representing Constable Victor Trevino, a Hispanic constable. We have 
deputy sheriffs. We have the sheriff's department. We have the Houston 
Police Department, the Department of Public Safety. In many instances 
we find great leaders who believe not only in crime fighting, but crime 
prevention.
  I rise today to focus in particular on the importance of law 
enforcement in working in the community. I salute the former mayor of 
the city of Houston, Lee Brown, former chief of police of the cities of 
Houston, New York, and Atlanta. I consider him the father of community-
oriented policing that really speaks to the hearts and minds of the 
people.
  It lets the police officers, law enforcement officers, become 
knowledgeable about the community, and in particular they work to know 
the ``good guys'' and the ``bad guys.'' Neighbors become comfortable 
with law enforcement officers when they are engaged as people who are 
certainly concerned about the neighborhood and the community. They are 
eager to help them bust, if you will, the crime situation or bust the 
criminal or make sure that the situation is corrected.
  At the same time as we raise up and respect our law enforcement 
officers, let me applaud those who I speak to all the time as I travel 
to Washington. We have a very effective aviation police force. I get an 
opportunity as I go through the airport to listen to them and to thank 
them.
  Let us be concerned about the benefits for law enforcement officers. 
In particular, I know that my city, a very large city, has seen the 
decline of senior officers. For some reason or another, because our 
belts are being tightened, we don't have enough resources to provide 
them with the upward mobility, the professional development and the 
protection of their pensions and to recognize the sacrifice that they 
and their families are making. We as communities across the Nation 
should be concerned about making sure they have the right kind of 
benefits.
  On the Federal level, I am very glad that the House Judiciary 
Committee has just passed out a COPS bill reauthorization. I think that 
is a very, very important aspect of the work of this Congress. The COPS 
program worked. It provided police officers for rural communities and 
urban communities. I spoke to my police personnel there and they said, 
yes, it would help us greatly if the COPS program were reauthorized. So 
as we salute our peace officers across America, let us make sure that 
we are actually doing as we are saying, and that is providing them with 
the resources that they need.
  At the same time, let me also add the importance of training. There 
is the sensitivity that our police officers are able to get through 
experience, but training also helps them detect those with mental 
illness and have the best resources to address those suffering from 
mental illness so that those persons can be taken away from society 
before they do harm to themselves or someone else.
  This legislation is timely because we thank those who are serving 
today. We offer our deepest sympathy to the families of those who have 
lost their lives on the front lines of law enforcement in America over 
the last year, and we certainly acknowledge the continued sacrifice 
that law enforcement officers will make.

[[Page 11550]]

  The best point about what this says as we stand on the floor today 
saluting them is that we should promote and congratulate good law 
enforcement officers. We should not allow the bad incidents that occur, 
the mishaps that occur, and many of them have occurred, and I have 
stood up vigorously against them and I will stand up yesterday, today 
and tomorrow, when there is abuse. But we should not allow those kinds 
of situations to take away from the grandeur, the respect, the honesty, 
the integrity and the downright commitment that the law enforcement 
agencies of America, particularly those in our local communities, show 
every single day with the idea that as they leave in the morning and 
kiss their families good-bye, that they might sacrifice their lives so 
that we might be safe.
  We owe them a great debt of gratitude, and it is my pleasure to thank 
the distinguished gentleman from Illinois and thank the sponsor of this 
legislation for allowing me to pay tribute at this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 291, supporting the 
goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.
  Peace officers, the sworn, public-sector officers entrusted with law 
enforcement authority and the power of arrest, risk their lives daily 
to protect our Nation. These individuals, who are responsible for 
safeguarding the rights and freedoms we enjoy as Americans, are true 
heroes.
  Peace Officers Memorial Day honors those who have made the ultimate 
sacrifice for the safety and security of their communities and our 
Nation. Created by Public Law 87-726, signed by President Kennedy in 
1962, this day gives us the opportunity to acknowledge and pay our 
respect to those who, through their courageous deeds, have fallen in 
the line of duty.
  Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, May 13, 2007, 382 names will be added to the 
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the 19th Annual 
Candlelight Vigil. These 382 names include 145 officers who died in the 
2006, plus 237 from earlier years who had previously been lost to 
history. Of these 382 names, 55 represent Texas law officers who lost 
their lives in the line of duty, nine of them in 2006.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the names of the fallen heroes to be added to the 
list is Officer Rodney J. Johnson of the Houston Police Department. 
Officer Johnson, a 12-year veteran of the Houston Police Department, 
was killed September 21, 2006, while taking a suspect in custody during 
a traffic stop. He leaves to honor his memory his beloved wife, Houston 
Police Department Officer Joslyn Johnson, and five teenage children; 
three daughters and two sons, ages 14 to 19.
  Officer Rodney Johnson was born in Houston and served in the U.S. 
Army as a military police officer until being honorably discharged in 
1990. He then went to work as a corrections officer for the Texas 
Department of Criminal Justice and then as a jail attendant. He 
graduated from the Houston police academy in 1994.
  As a member of the department's Southeast Gang Task Force, Officer 
Rodney Johnson earned two Lifesaving Awards and one Medal of Valor from 
the State of Texas. In January 1998, Officer Rodney Johnson rescued a 
physically challenged driver trapped in rising floodwaters in January 
1998 and later that year he rescued mentally challenged people trapped 
inside of a burning house.
  Officer Rodney Johnson, who stood 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 
nearly 300 pounds, served on his union's board of directors. As Hans 
Marticiuc, the president of Officer Johnson's union stated, ``he was 
big and he was intimidating-looking, but he was as gentle as a baby 
bear.''
  Mr. Speaker, the number of officers killed in the line of duty last 
year declined nearly 8 percent from 2005, when there were 157 officer 
deaths. The 2006 figure was the lowest annual total since 1999, when 
143 officers were lost.
  Although the number of officers killed in the line of duty has 
declined in recent years, the fact that one officer is killed every 
2\1/2\ days in our country is a sober reminder that protecting our 
communities and safeguarding our democracy come at a heavy price. 
Including this year's officers, there are now 17,917 names engraved on 
the Memorial, representing offices from all 50 states, the District of 
Columbia, U.S. territories, and Federal law enforcement and military 
police agencies.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important resolution, honoring the Federal, State, and local peace 
officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), the author of this 
resolution.
  Mr. POE. I want to thank the gentlelady from North Carolina for 
yielding the time.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to also thank the Committee on Oversight 
and Government Reform, Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis, for 
their support of this legislation, and, of course, the gentleman from 
Illinois as well.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 291 supports the goals and ideals of 
Peace Officers Memorial Day, our Nation's first line of defenders. I 
would also like to thank the 78 Members of Congress who cosponsored 
this bipartisan resolution for their support.
  Law enforcement officers are a special type of people. They put on 
the uniform and the badge of a law officer. They swear an oath to 
uphold the law of our land and vow to protect the citizens of all 
communities.
  In carrying out their duties, law enforcement officers are routinely 
subjected to threats against their personal safety. According to the 
National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, more than 56,000 law 
enforcement officers are assaulted every year in the line of duty. They 
are subjected to being slapped, punched, kicked, bit, stabbed, and even 
shot by suspects. And this does not include what could happen in the 
course of high-speed chases that occur throughout our country.
  Most of these peace officers that are assaulted walk away from that 
fight with minor injuries and the suspect generally is carted off to 
jail in handcuffs. There are those community protectors, however, that 
aren't as fortunate, because they give their lives in the line of duty.
  Since the first recorded police department death in 1792, over 17,900 
peace officers have been killed while performing the duty of a law 
officer somewhere in this great country. Statistics show that every 53 
hours a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty. Last 
year, 2006, 143 officers were killed in the line of duty.
  We all remember September 11 and what occurred on that day, how many 
of us watched on television when those planes hit the World Trade 
Center, when they hit the Pentagon; how thousands of people, good 
people, as soon as that terror hit those buildings, those people were 
running as fast as they could to get away from that danger.
  But there was another group of people, not very many, but they were 
there running as fast as they could to get to the danger, and those 
were the people who wear the badge. That also included our firefighters 
and our emergency medical technicians. Seventy-two of those peace 
officers that ran to those buildings that were being assaulted from the 
air were killed in the line of duty that one day.
  Of course, it strikes all communities, even our community down in 
Beaumont, Texas, and the Beaumont Police Department and its recent 
tragedy of a peace officer killed in the line of duty. Last week, this 
community suffered the loss of one of their own, Officer Lisa Beaulieu, 
the first female peace officer in southeast Texas that has been killed 
in the line of duty.
  She was a 6-year veteran of the Beaumont Police Department. She was 
on patrol by herself at 1 a.m. when she responded to the scene of a 
motorcycle accident in Beaumont. As she got out of her vehicle and 
started directing traffic, a drunk driver slammed into her, throwing 
her over the side of the freeway and killing her. It was a tragic end 
for a peace officer that loved to protect the people of our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, during the time that I was a judge in Texas for over 22 
years, I encountered many, many peace officers who wore the badge, and 
proudly did so; and I considered those peace officers who would do 
that, that cross over the line to represent the rest of us and protect 
us, a rare and noble bleed.
  So on Tuesday, May 15, thousands of local, State and Federal peace 
officers will gather across the Nation to remember their fellow 
officers. Known as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, established by 
President Kennedy in 1962, the day serves as a tribute to the

[[Page 11551]]

men and women who daily put themselves in harm's way to ensure the 
safety and security of our country and our Nation. The flags will be 
lowered at half mast and ceremonies will be held across the entire 
country.
  The national memorial ceremony is held right here on the lawn of the 
United States Capitol, where the President of the United States, 
thousands of law enforcement officers, and Members of Congress will be 
there. Those officers that are in attendance, their badges will be 
draped in black as a remembrance of their fellow officers who were 
killed in the line of duty.
  Law enforcement officers are the first line of defense between law-
abiding citizens and those who violate the law. They are public 
servants who dedicate their time and their lives to protect us. They 
wear the badge of courage with pride, and we as a Nation need to honor 
them for their service of the American people.
  I hope that our Congress, these folks in this body, will pass this 
legislation as fast as possible.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my distinguished 
colleague, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Reichert).
  Mr. REICHERT. I thank the gentlelady for yielding time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here today as a cosponsor of this 
resolution to honor our law enforcement officers across this Nation. I 
was one of the 870,000 sworn law enforcement officers that are on the 
job today just a couple of years ago, until I came to this House. I 
have to be honest and confess that my heart still lies with my fellow 
officers and deputies in the King County Sheriff's Office in Seattle, 
Washington.
  I was one of those officers who have been spit on, kicked, called 
every name that you can think of and maybe some that you can't think 
of, stabbed, shot at, threatened. All of those things happened in my 
33-year career.
  But I am here today alive and well to talk about those officers that 
sacrificed their lives. Some of those were my good friends. Two were my 
partners. One was an academy mate. One was my best friend. Murdered. 
Shot and killed.
  Now, just last year the King County Sheriff's Office lost another 
dedicated law enforcement officer by the name of Steve Cox. Imagine you 
are Deputy Steve Cox and you are responding to a call on an early 
Saturday morning back in December. You really don't know what kind of a 
call you are going to. But then you hear that shots have been fired. 
Part of your job is to interview every person at the scene, so you 
start to interview these people. All of a sudden, in the middle of the 
interview, somebody pulls a gun, and before Deputy Cox could react, he 
was shot in the head and killed. He left behind a wife and a 1-year-old 
son.
  These are things that happen every day on the streets of our great 
Nation. We owe such a debt of gratitude to the men and women who wear 
the badge, whether they wear a blue uniform or green, gray or whatever 
color it might be, who are there to protect us from those people on our 
streets who choose not to obey the laws of the land.
  There are four people from the State of Washington who will be added 
to the memorial this year: Joselito Barber from the Seattle Police 
Department; Edwanton Thomas from the Brier Police Department; Dick 
Rhodes from the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office; and Deputy Steve Cox 
from the King County Sheriff's Office.
  Mr. Speaker, as you can tell, this is very close to my heart. It 
should be close to each and every one of us. Every time we see one of 
the Capitol Hill police officers or the Washington, D.C. police when we 
are back here, please stop and say thank you for a job well done in 
putting their lives and their family's lives on the line for us every 
day.

                              {time}  1700

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Granger).
  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution 
introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe). Texas has lost 55 law 
enforcement officers. That is part of the 382 fallen officers across 
this Nation.
  As mayor of the city of Fort Worth, when asked what was the most 
important thing I did when I was mayor, I always talked about working 
with the Fort Worth police officers, those brave officers who risk 
their lives every day to keep us safe and free. We think about those 
officers, and we think about their families also.
  One of the officers was Dwayne Freeto. He was just 34 years old when 
he was killed by a drunk driver just 8 days before this past Christmas. 
He had been a police officer with the Fort Worth Police Department 
since August 2005. He also served in the United States Army. When he 
was killed, he left behind a wife, Karen, and two daughters, ages 3 and 
9.
  Those stories can be repeated about our officers across this Nation 
so many times. I join in strong support of this resolution and also to 
remind everyone of the candlelight vigil this Sunday to honor those 
officers. They are people who sacrifice their lives every day and stand 
up for us. It is my great honor to speak today.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman 
from Texas for introducing this very meaningful and worthwhile 
legislation. I think all of us owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to 
our law enforcement officers and personnel throughout the country. I 
urge passage of this resolution.
  Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Peace Officers 
Memorial Day, honoring Federal, State, and local peace officers killed 
or disabled in the line of duty. Our law enforcement officers dedicate 
and risk their lives daily to protect our Nation and ensure that our 
neighborhoods are safer.
  More than 56,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted every year, 
and in 2006, 143 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of 
duty. No words can adequately express our gratitude for their sacrifice 
and service. My heart goes out to the families and friends who have 
lost loved ones in the line of duty, and to those officers who have 
been harmed while serving this great country.
  A few months ago, Western North Carolina lost one of our own brave 
officers. Police Officer Shawn Joshua Dean Williams died while 
responding to a fellow officer's call for assistance in Old Fort, North 
Carolina. He was only 23 years old. He is survived by his wife, Shannon 
Kirby Williams; his young daughter, Ryleigh Alexis; and his parents, 
Max Suttles and Holly Williams.
  Mr. Speaker, Officer Williams' life was an example of service for all 
of us to follow.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing sadness over all the 
officers lost in the line of duty and to acknowledge the dedication of 
all law enforcement officers who protect and serve our communities 
every day.
  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of House Resolution 291, honoring those brave officers who have 
paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.
  May 15th marks the 44th annual Peace Officers' Memorial Day and to 
mark the occasion, law enforcement officers from around the Nation will 
gather here in Washington, D.C. This visit will include a gathering 
here on the Capitol lawn to pay their respects to their fallen 
comrades.
  All of these officers--both those who have passed and those who carry 
on today--deserve our gratitude and our respect, But, during this time 
of remembrance, I would like to especially recognize those 72 brave 
officers who were lost on September 11, 2001, the single deadliest day 
in law enforcement history. Thirty-seven of those lost were officers of 
the New York/New Jersey Port Authority and we are eternally indebted to 
them for their bravery and sacrifice on that tragic day. The memory of 
their service and the sacrifice their families have made on our behalf 
should be always in our thoughts.
  In our great Nation, there are 870,000 sworn law enforcement officers 
who risk their lives daily to ensure the safety of their neighbors. 
Every 53 hours one of these officers is killed in the line of duty. It 
is in their memory that we gather each May to pay our respects to the 
fallen and to honor this noble profession.
  Many thanks go to the law enforcement officers in New Jersey, here at 
the United States

[[Page 11552]]

Capitol, and around the United States. We thank you for your service 
and join you in honoring your fallen comrades.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 291, which supports the goals and ideals of National Peace 
Officers' Memorial Day to honor Federal, State, and local peace 
officers killed or disabled in the line of duty and calls upon the 
people of the United States to observe such a day with appropriate 
ceremonies and respect.
  I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this resolution and support the 
recognition of May 15th as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day, a day 
dedicated to the recognize and pay tribute to more than 870,000 law 
enforcement officers throughout the United States, and those officers 
who are killed or disabled in the line of duty.
  It is estimated that more than 56,000 law enforcement officers are 
assaulted every year, and 143 law enforcement officers were killed in 
the line of duty in 2006. Of those 143 killed in the line of duty last 
year, we also lost two outstanding law enforcement officers, Detective 
Vicky Armel and Master Police Officer Michael Garbarino of the Sully 
Police Station of Fairfax County in Virginia.
  Exactly 1 year ago today, on May 8, 2006, Detective Armel and MPO 
Garbarino were both shot and killed when a suspect using a hunting 
rifle opened fire on them in the parking lot of the Sully District 
Station. Detective Armel died on the scene and MPO Garbarino died 9 
days later while in the hospital.
  Both officers gave a combined 40 years of service, protecting our 
country. They died heroically trying to protect their fellow 
servicemen. Today, they, along with all other peace officers, are being 
honored in our hearts and minds. This week, a monument will be unveiled 
at the Sully Police Station in Fairfax honoring Detective Armel and MPO 
Garbarino and a full memorial service is also planned.
  Detective Armel and MPO Garbarino, along with the hundreds of 
thousands of other law enforcement officers that serve us or were 
injured or killed in the line of duty, deserve our support. We owe the 
thousands of men and women who put their life on the line the 
recognition and gratitude for all their hard work, tireless efforts and 
daily life threatening situations that they encounter, to protect and 
serve us. I urge my colleagues to vote for H. Res. 291.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. 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 Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 291.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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