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“COMMEMORATING AND ACKNOWLEDGING DEDICATION AND SACRIFICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S5339 on May 11, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
COMMEMORATING AND ACKNOWLEDGING DEDICATION AND SACRIFICE OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to S. Res. 140.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 140) commemorating and acknowledging the dedication and sacrifice made by the men and women who have lost their lives while serving as law enforcement officers.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.
Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, today the Senate will act unanimously in support of our Nation's law enforcement officers by passing a resolution to honor their service and sacrifice. I am pleased the Senate will take this action at the start of National Police Week and I thank all Senators for their strong support. I thank Senator Sessions, as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, for joining me in the introduction of this resolution.
This week we will reflect on the extraordinary service and sacrifice given year after year by the men and women of our police forces. We do not thank them enough. And as thousands of law enforcement officers arrive in Washington this week to pay tribute to those whose lives were lost in the line of duty, I hope they all know that the Senate stands with them and honors their service and their sacrifice. We welcome these men and women and their families and friends to the Nation's Capital.
This week, the Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing to get the perspective from the field as to how funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have been assisting with law enforcement efforts at the State and local level. I look forward to hearing from the Department of Justice and law enforcement officials on Congress and the administration's efforts to assist law enforcement across the country. Along with our respect, America's law enforcement officers deserve Congress's strong support.
Once again, I am proud that the Senate will unanimously approve this resolution and formally recognize National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 140) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 140
Whereas the well-being of all citizens 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, presently serve their fellow citizens as guardians of the peace;
Whereas peace officers are on the front lines in protecting the schools and schoolchildren of the United States;
Whereas 133 peace officers across the United States were killed in the line of duty during 2008;
Whereas Congress should strongly support initiatives to reduce violent crime and to 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 there are recorded 18,274 Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty while protecting their fellow citizens, and whose names are engraved upon the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, District of Columbia;
Whereas in 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day;
Whereas on May 15, 2009, more than 20,000 peace officers are expected to gather in Washington, District of Columbia, to join with the families of their recently fallen comrades to honor those comrades and all others who went before them: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes May 15, 2009, as ``National Peace Officers Memorial Day'', in honor of the Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers that have been killed or injured in the line of duty; and
(2) calls on the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremony, solemnity, appreciation, and respect.
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