The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S8064-S8065 on Nov. 18, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Leahy):
S. 3972. A bill to encourage, enhance, and integrate Blue Alert plans throughout the United States in order to disseminate information when a law enforcement officer is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the National Blue Alert Act of 2010.
Having just concluded Crime Prevention month it is important to remember our law enforcement officers that put their lives on the line every day. There are more than 900,000 police officers in the United States dedicated to stopping crime and making our communities safer. Every day they go out onto the streets, and unfortunately become targets for criminals who have no regard for law and order.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, officer deaths have surged by 43 percent in the first half of 2010. Eighty-seven officers died in the line of duty between January 1 and June 30 of this year. If this rate continues, 2010 could become one of the deadliest years for U.S. law enforcement in two decades. We need to make sure our officers have all the tools they need to protect themselves and each other.
This is why I, along with Senator Graham and Senator Leahy, am introducing the National Blue Alert Act in an effort to provide law enforcement with an additional tool in fighting crime. The Blue Alert system is intended to provide rapid dissemination of information about such offenders to help facilitate capture of violent offenders and reduce the risk those offenders cause to our communities and law enforcement officers. The National Blue Alert will encourage, enhance and integrate blue alert plans throughout the United States in order to effectively disseminate information notifying law enforcement, media and the public that a suspect is wanted.
Currently there is no national alert system that provides immediate information to other law enforcement agencies, the media or the public at large. Many states have created a state blue alert system in an effort to better inform their local communities. For example, after the unfortunate murder of Maryland State Trooper Wesley Brown, Maryland Governor O'Malley immediately signed an executive order establishing the Maryland blue alert system. But Maryland is not alone. Florida was the first state to implement the alert system in 2008. They were followed by Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, and Delaware.
My bill creates a national blue alert program within the Department of Justice. Currently, under the COPS technology program, Congress authorizes funds for the continued development of technologies and automated systems that help tribal, state and local law enforcement agencies prevent, respond to, and investigate crime. My bill authorizes
$10 million out of this program to be appropriated for the creation of blue alert plans throughout the United States. This new technology will provide police officers and other emergency units with the ability to react quickly to apprehend violent offenders.
Based on the success of the AMBER Alert and the SILVER Alert, I believe this BLUE Alert will be equally successful in helping to apprehend criminal suspects who have injured or killed our law enforcement officers. This legislation has received the support of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Concerns of Police Survivors National Office. The Blue Alert will provide a valuable tool to our law enforcement officials. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
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