[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 7016-7017]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, in Arkansas, our law enforcement history 
runs deep. Take my hometown of Fort Smith, for example, where the U.S. 
Marshals Service played an integral part in shaping the city's unique 
role in our country's westward expansion. Many people in the area today 
find their family roots trace back to a U.S. Marshal.
  From an early age we were taught about Judge Isaac Parker's efforts 
to bring order to Indian Territory, and great lawmen such as Deputy 
U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves helped lay the foundation that highlighted 
Fort Smith's chapter in the history of the U.S. Marshals Service. We 
have a lot to be thankful for as we honor these brave men and women as 
part of National Police Week.
  May 15 marks Peace Officers Memorial Day. Each May during National

[[Page 7017]]

Police Week we honor the men and women who died in the line of duty by 
adding their names to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
  This year 321 names will be added to the memorial including Arkansas 
Department of Correction SGT Barbara Ester, who died in January 2012, 
and former Johnson County Sheriff John Hall Powers who was shot and 
killed while trying to stop a bank robbery in 1902.
  The tradition of courageous public service is carried on today by the 
men and women who keep communities across the country safe 24 hours a 
day. They truly are on the front lines, walking some of the toughest 
beats in America, and keeping our streets safe.
  More brave men and women opt to follow their lead in a career in law 
enforcement every day. I recently had the honor of handing out diplomas 
to graduates of the Black River Technical College Law Enforcement 
Training Academy in Pocahontas, AR. Graduates of this program follow 
different tracks in police work such as crime scene investigation, 
criminal training and police training with hands-on instruction and the 
currently available resources to allow for the best work possible. The 
program produced a great group of graduates who are excited to use the 
skills they learned in the field.
  We recognize, not only during this week, but all year long, the 
devotion of the 900,000 law enforcement officers who put their lives on 
the line every day to make our communities safer.
  Law enforcement faces unique challenges today and we are working to 
provide the best tools and training to prepare these men and women for 
unpredictable situations. As our world changes, so do the threats we 
face. The key to being equipped for these unexpected events is to 
prepare for these emerging threats. That is why a lot of law 
enforcement training today focuses on domestic terrorism. Look no 
further than the Boston Police Department that became the first line of 
defense against terrorism during the Boston Marathon bombing.
  In order to keep our communities safe, we are challenged to develop 
the newest training techniques and prepare for a wide range of 
incidents. We have great resources in Arkansas that provide our 
officers with advanced training.
  I thank the law enforcement officers in Arkansas and across the 
country who dedicate their lives to protecting our children and 
communities and seek to bring criminals to justice. These heroes come 
to our rescue when we need help and I am committed to providing them 
with the tools and the resources they need to fulfill their 
responsibilities.

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