Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day

SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY -- (House of Representatives - May 16, 2005)

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

Mr. Speaker, each day peace officers nobly protect our families, friends, and neighbors from crime. Peace officers work to improve the quality of life for all of us. For that, they deserve our sincere appreciation and respect.

While it is impossible to suitably thank these brave Americans for the tremendous sacrifices they make, we pause this week to salute them for their courage, dedication and service, and to pay our respects for those who have fallen in the line of duty.

Currently, more than 850,000 men and women guard our communities, and do so at great risk. Each year in the United States, one in 15 officers is assaulted, one in 46 officers is injured, and one in every 5,255 officers is killed in the line of duty. In total, more than 17,500 men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice.

In 2004, 154 law enforcement officers died while serving in the line of duty, well below the decade-long average of 169 deaths annually, and well below the 2001 total of 237.

A number of factors have contributed to this reduction, including better equipment, increased use of bullet-resistant vests, improved training, and advanced emergency medical care.

But the work of peace officers continues to take the lives of too many men and women who work to ensure our safety. So far this year, 42 peace officers have been killed in the line of duty.

Mr. Speaker, I support the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor Federal, State, and local peace officers killed or disabled in the line of duty; and I call upon the people of the United States to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies and respect.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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