Special Agent Samuel Hicks Families of Fallen Heroes Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present H.R. 2711, the Special Agent Samuel Hicks Families of Fallen Heroes Act, for consideration.

This bipartisan legislation was introduced on June 4, 2009, by my colleague, Representative Mike Rogers of Michigan, as well as several members of the Oversight Committee, including Chairman Towns, and Representatives Bill Foster of Illinois, Elijah Cummings of Maryland, and Brian Bilbray of California. In addition, I am also pleased to be an original cosponsor.

Moreover, H.R. 2711 was passed by the House of Representatives by a voice vote on December 8, 2009, and subsequently passed the United States Senate, with minor amendments, on May 14, 2010.

H.R. 2711 is an important measure for the Federal law enforcement community. This bill authorizes the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to pay the relocation and moving expenses for families of agents who are killed in the line of duty. Law enforcement officers and their families are routinely moved by the government to take on assignments that enhance the security of our country. Under current law, the government is authorized to pay these expenses if an agent or employee is killed overseas, but it cannot do so for relocation if the death occurs within the United States. While we wish this legislation was not necessary, tragically there have been instances in which such authority was needed to support the families of agents or employees who have given their lives.

I applaud the Senate, and especially Senators Lieberman, Collins, Akaka, and Voinovich for recognizing the importance of this bill and for sending the bill back to the House with minor changes. The bill, as amended by the Senate, would extend these family benefits to employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Senate amendment also makes several largely technical changes to the scope of available assistance.

These improvements were made at the request of the Obama administration, which supports this measure. I do want to emphasize that the bill has strong support among the Federal law enforcement community, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and the FBI Agents Association.

Lastly, I'd like to point out that the title of the bill pays tribute to the memory and service of Special Agent Samuel Hicks. Special Agent Hicks was assigned to the Pittsburgh FBI office and was fatally shot on November 19, 2008, at the age of 33 while executing a Federal search warrant associated with a drug distribution ring.

Special Agent Hicks was a former police officer with the Baltimore Police Department. He and his family relocated to Pittsburgh when he became an agent. Unfortunately, after the loss of Special Agent Hicks, the Bureau was unable to assist the Hicks family in moving back to Baltimore due to the statutory limitations. This legislation would correct this problem and prevent future families from suffering additional grief and hardship.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2711.

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