Authorizing Use of the Capitol Grounds for National Peace Officers Memorial Service

Floor Speech

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 388) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, as amended.

The Clerk read as follows:

H. Con. Res. 388

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

SECTION 1. USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS' MEMORIAL SERVICE.

(a) In General.-The National Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary (in this resolution referred to as the "sponsor") shall be permitted to sponsor a public event, the 23rd annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service (in this resolution jointly referred to as the "event"), on the Capitol Grounds, in order to honor the law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty during 2003.

(b) Date of Event.-The event shall be held on May 15, 2004, or on such other date as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate jointly designate.

SEC. 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

(a) In General.-Under conditions to be prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board, the event shall be-
(1) free of admission charge and open to the public; and
(2) arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress.

(b) Expenses and Liabilities.-The sponsor shall assume full responsibility for all expenses and liabilities incident to all activities associated with the event.

SEC. 3. EVENT PREPARATIONS.

Subject to the approval of the Architect of the Capitol, the sponsor is authorized to erect upon the Capitol Grounds such stage, sound amplification devices, and other related structures and equipment, as may be required for the event.

SEC. 4. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS.

The Capitol Police Board shall provide for enforcement of the restrictions contained in section 5104© of title 40, United States Code, concerning sales, advertisements, displays, and solicitations on the Capitol Grounds, as well as other restrictions applicable to the Capitol Grounds, in connection with the event.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) each will control 20 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

It is my pleasure to bring to the floor a resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 23rd Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service. This service will honor the memory of 148 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty during 2003. This service will also honor a number of law enforcement officers killed during other years, who, for a variety of reasons, have not yet had their names inscribed on the wall of honor at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial located at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial here in Washington.

This service comes as part of Police Week, a week-long festival of events that remember those members of law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Police Week includes events such as the annual Law Ride, a Police Unity Tour, Honor Guard competition, Blue Mass, and Candlelight Vigil.

Since the first official memorial service was held in 1982, over 3,000 officers have been honored. Since that first service, the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and its Auxiliary have served as hosts and sponsors of the event.

This service, as are many of the events encompassing Police Week, is open to the public and free of charge.
I support this resolution, which will allow the use of the Capitol grounds for this important service in honor of the men and women who keep us, our families, our communities, and the Nation safe and secure. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 388 authorizes use of the Capitol grounds for the 23rd Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service, a most solemn and respectful public event honoring our Nation's brave civil servants. The event, scheduled for May 15, will be coordinated with the Office of the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Hill Police.

This is a fitting tribute to Federal, State and local police officers who give their lives in the daily work of protecting our families, our homes, our places of work, and us. Three hundred sixty-two names will be added to the memorial wall this year, including the names of 145 brave men and women who were killed in the line of duty, as well as 217 historic cases that were uncovered by the Memorial Research Department.

On average, one officer is killed in this country every other day, approximately 23,000 are injured every year, and thousands are assaulted going about their daily routines.

During 2003, six of the fallen officers were women.

The ceremony to be held on May 15 is the 23rd anniversary of this memorial service. Consistent with all Capitol Hill events, the memorial service will be free and open to the public.

I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this tribute to our fallen Peace Officers.
This measure is particularly important to me, Mr. Speaker, because my youngest son, Jon, is Deputy Sheriff in Calaveras County in California, and I would like to recognize him for his great service and all of those brave men and women who serve us every day. I urge its passage.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 388, to authorize use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on May 15, 2004.

In October 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day. Each year on this date we, as a nation, have an opportunity to honor the devotion with which peace officers perform their daily task of protecting our families, coworkers, friends, and each of us. The 2004 event marks the 23rd anniversary of the Capitol Hill event. In the post-September 11 environment, the work of selfless police and firemen has become our model of courage and moral strength.

There are approximately 700,000 sworn law enforcement officers serving the American public today. Officers work for states, counties, U.S. territories, Federal enforcement, military police, and corrections departments. Ten percent of law enforcement officers are women.

During 2004, 145 peace officers were killed in the line of duty; of those killed, 6 were women. The average age of those killed in the line of duty was 37 years.

It is most fitting and proper to honor the lives, sacrifices, and public service of these brave men and women. I urge support for H. Con. Res. 388.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simmons). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 388, as amended.

The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as amended, was agreed to.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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