SRES131APR29

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending April 29, 2005

Senate Resolution 131 commemorating and acknowledging the dedication and sacrifice made by the men and women who have lost their lives while serving as law enforcement officers.

BRIEF

The Resolution preamble explains that there are 850,000 law enforcement personnel in the US and 169 die on the job annually and that “(E)very other day, 1 out of every 9 peace officers is assaulted, 1 out of every 25 peace officers is injured, and 1 out of every 6,000 peace officers is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States.”

But, in 2004, that number dropped to 154 as a result of “better equipment and the increased use of bullet-resistant vests, improved training, longer prison terms for violent offenders, and advanced emergency medical care.”

May 15, 2005 is established as “Peace Officers Memorial Day”.

Sponsor: Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA)

Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent (April 28, 2005)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

S. Res. 131

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 850,000 men and women, at great risk to their personal safety, presently serve their fellow citizens as guardians of peace;

Whereas peace officers are on the front line in preserving the right of the children of the United States to receive an education in a crime-free environment, a right that is all too often threatened by the insidious fear caused by violence in schools;

Whereas 154 peace officers across the United States were killed in the line of duty during 2004, which is below the decade-long average of 169 deaths annually;

Whereas a number of factors contributed to this reduction in deaths, including better equipment and the increased use of bullet-resistant vests, improved training, longer prison terms for violent offenders, and advanced emergency medical care;

Whereas every other day, 1 out of every 9 peace officers is assaulted, 1 out of every 25 peace officers is injured, and 1 out of every 6,000 peace officers is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States; and

Whereas on May 15, 2005, more than 20,000 peace officers are expected to gather in Washington, D.C. to join with 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, 2005, as Peace Officers Memorial Day, in honor of Federal, State, and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty; and

(2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and respect.

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