[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6971]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 511--COMMEMORATING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEDICATION 
 AND SACRIFICES MADE BY THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT 
      OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

  Mr. LEAHY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 511

       Whereas the well-being of the 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 900,000 men and women, at great risk to 
     their personal safety, serve the people of the United States 
     as guardians of the peace;
       Whereas peace officers are on the front lines in protecting 
     the schools and schoolchildren of the United States;
       Whereas, in 2009, 116 peace officers across the United 
     States were killed in the line of duty;
       Whereas Congress should strongly support initiatives to 
     reduce violent crime and increase the factors that contribute 
     to the safety of law enforcement officers, including--
       (1) equipment of the highest quality and modernity;
       (2) increased availability and use of bullet-resistant 
     vests;
       (3) improved training; and
       (4) advanced emergency medical care;
       Whereas the names of 18,983 Federal, State, and local law 
     enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty 
     protecting the people of the United State are engraved on the 
     National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, 
     District of Columbia;
       Whereas, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 
     15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day;
       Whereas, on May 15, 2010, more than 20,000 peace officers 
     are expected to gather in Washington, District of Columbia, 
     to join with the families of recently fallen comrades to 
     honor those comrades and all others who went before the peace 
     officers: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commemorates and acknowledges the dedication and 
     sacrifices made by the Federal, State, and local law 
     enforcement officers who have been killed or injured in the 
     line of duty;
       (2) recognizes May 15, 2010, as ``National Peace Officers 
     Memorial Day''; and
       (3) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
     that day with appropriate ceremony, solemnity, appreciation, 
     and respect.

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am honored once again to submit this 
resolution to the Senate commemorating our Nation's law enforcement 
officers and National Peace Officers Memorial Day. The Senate's 
official recognition of National Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police 
Week is a tradition I am proud to carry out each year, and I look 
forward to the Senate taking up and passing this resolution.
  In 2009, 116 law enforcement officers died while serving in the line 
of duty. We honor their memory. Though this is a decrease from 2008, it 
is no less tragic a loss to our Federal and State law enforcement 
community and to their families and friends. Each year we commemorate 
the bravery of so many in law enforcement, and our Nation's peace 
officers deserve our commitment to provide them with the tools they 
need to stay safe and to do their jobs as effectively as they can.
  Currently, more than 900,000 men and women work tirelessly to protect 
our communities, our schools, and our children. They investigate and 
apprehend the most violent criminals and strive to keep our communities 
safe and secure. Since the first recorded police death in 1792, the 
names of 18,983 law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate 
sacrifice have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers 
Memorial.
  I also take this opportunity to recognize that the names of 324 
fallen officers will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers 
Memorial on May 13 during a candlelight vigil held in their honor. 
These are officers from the past and present whose memory will be 
preserved for all time at the memorial, ensuring that their bravery and 
sacrifice will not be forgotten. I especially want to recognize two 
brave Vermonters who gave their lives in the line of duty, and whose 
names will be added to the Memorial this year: John Henry Collette of 
the Addison County Sheriff's Office, died July 17, 1932, and Robert 
Daniel Rossier of the Vermont Highway Patrol, died September 9, 1935.
  National Peace Officers Memorial Day provides the people of the 
United States, in their communities, in their State capitals, and in 
the Nation's Capital, with the opportunity to honor and reflect on the 
extraordinary service and sacrifice given year after year by those 
members of our police forces. More than 20,000 peace officers are 
expected to gather in Washington in the days leading up to May 15, to 
join with the families of their fallen comrades. It is right that the 
Senate show its respect on this occasion, and I am proud to honor their 
service and their memory. I urge all Senators to join me in approving 
this resolution.

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