National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund Act of 2005

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 8, 2006, at 2:30 p.m., to receive testimony on the Department of Defense Quadrennial Defense Review.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on Wednesday, March 8 at 10:00 a.m. to consider pending calender business.

Agenda

Agenda Item 3: S. 476--To authorize the Boy Scouts of America to exchange certain land in the State of Utah acquired under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act.

Agenda Item 8: S. 1131--To authorize the exchange of certain Federal land within the State of Idaho, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 9: S. 1288--To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements to protect natural resources of units of the National Park System through collaborative efforts on land inside and outside of units of the National Park System.

Agenda Item 10: S. 1346--To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of maritime sites in the State of Michigan.

Agenda Item 11: S. 1378--To amend the National Historic Preservation Act to provide appropriation authorization and improve the operations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

Agenda Item 13: S. 1913--To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease a portion of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center for use as a visitor center for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 14: S. 1970--To amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with that trail, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 15: S. 2197--To improve the global competitiveness of the United States in science and energy technology, to strengthen basic research programs at the Department of Energy, and to provide support for mathematics and science education at all levels through the resources available through the Department of Energy, including at the National Laboratories.

Agenda Item 16: S. 2253--To require the Secretary of the Interior to offer the 181 Area of the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas leasing.

Agenda Item 17: S. Con. Res. 60--Designating the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, MO, as America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Agenda Item 18: S.J. Res. 28--Approving the location of the commemorative work in the District of Columbia honoring former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Agenda Item 19: H.R. 318--To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating Castle Nugent Farms located on St. Croix, Virgin Islands, as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 20: H.R. 326 (S. 505)--To amend the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Act of 2000 to adjust the boundary of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.

Agenda Item 21: H.R. 409 (S. 179)--To provide for the exchange of land within the Sierra National Forest, CA, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 23: H.R. 1129 (S. 100)--To authorize the exchange of certain land in the State of Colorado.

Agenda Item 24: H.R. 1728 (S. 323)--To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the French Colonial Heritage Area in the State of Missouri as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 25: H.R. 2107--To amend Public Law 104-329 to modify authorities for the use of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 26: H.R. 3443 (S. 1498)--To direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water distribution facilities to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District.

In addition, the Committee may turn to any other measures that are ready for consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on

Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 10 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to hear testimony on ``Taking a checkup on the nation's health care tax policy: a prognosis''.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 10 a.m. to hold a hearing on Nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations' Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. to hold a hearing on The Impact on Latin America of the American Servicemembers' Protection Act.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions meet in executive session during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 10 a.m. in SD-430.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. for a hearing titled, ``Hurricane Katrina: Recommendations for Reform.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing on S. 2078, Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Amendments of 2005.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a markup on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. in Senate Dirksen Building Room 226.

Agenda

I. Nominations: Steven G. Bradbury to be an Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel; John F. Clark to be Director of the United States Marshals Service; Donald J. DeGabrielle, Jr. to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas; John Charles Richter to be U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma; Amul R. Thapar to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Mauricio J. Tamargo to be Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States.

II. Bills: S. , Comprehensive Immigration Reform [Chairman's Mark]; S. 1768, a bill to permit the televising of Supreme Court proceedings; Specter, Leahy, Cornyn, Grassley, Schumer, Feingold, Durbin; S. 829, Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2005; Grassley, Schumer, Cornyn, Leahy, Feingold, Durbin, Graham, DeWine, Specter; S. 489, Federal Consent Decree Fairness Act; Alexander, Kyl, Cornyn, Graham, Hatch; S. 2039, Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act of 2005; Durbin, Specter, DeWine, Leahy, Kennedy, Feinstein, Feingold; S. 2292, A bill to provide relief for the Federal judiciary from excessive rent charges; Specter, Leahy, Cornyn, Feinstein, Biden.

III. Matters: S.J. Res. 1, Marriage Protection Amendment; Allard, Sessions, Kyl, Hatch, Cornyn, Coburn, Brownback.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 8, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. to hold a closed briefing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. for a hearing regarding ``Crime Victims Fund Rescission: Real Savings or Budget Gimmick?''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 8, 2006, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on ``Reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 2:30 p.m., on the ``Impact of Piracy and Counterfeiting of American Goods and Intellectual Property in China.''

Mr. Speaker, today the House of Representatives will overwhelmingly support H. Res. 266, a resolution that pays tribute to Peace Officers Memorial Day, which took place yesterday. This is a special day to honor those law enforcement officers who have fallen or become disabled in the line of duty. As a former officer with the Michigan State Police and Escanaba City Police Department as well as founder and co-chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus, I am a proud cosponsor of this Resolution and want to thank my colleague Representative Hefley for introducing it once again this year.

The House will also overwhelmingly support H.R. 2107, a bill that requires the maintenance of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC and provides for the addition of the names of those in law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Last Friday at the 17th Annual Candlelight Vigil, more than 20,000 family members, law enforcement officers, and friends of law enforcement gathered at this Memorial to respect, honor, and remember the 153 law enforcement heroes who in 2004 made the ultimate sacrifice.

Since September 11, 2001, many in this nation and this Congress have come to recognize the importance of the sacrifices made by our law enforcement officers. Every day these men and women protect and serve, often putting their own lives at risk.

Peace Officers Memorial Day brings us together to honor the sacrifice our nation's law enforcement and public safety officers make to our communities and our nation every day.

It is important as we discuss and pass both H. Res. 266 and H.R. 2107 that we must also resolve to provide our public safety officers the resources they need to meet the daily challenges of their jobs-- especially at a time when we have placed greater demands on them to fight and prevent terrorist threats. We can do that by fully funding important grant programs such as COPS, Byrne, and Local Law Enforcement Block Grants.

These programs allow our local agencies to buy essential protective gear, hire the officers that they need, and obtain all the resources they must have to make themselves and our communities safe.

Congress can provide these resources through grants, especially the Community Oriented Policing Services or ``COPS'' program. This program was so successful that it helped to put 100,000 cops on the street under President Clinton. It is critical that Congress fully fund this program!

Unfortunately, the President's budget devastates the COPS program, requesting only $117.8 million for this important program. That is a $381.2 million cut below last year's level!

The President's budget also zeroes out the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant program that provides funding for 19 different programs for counter-drug initiatives in rural communities. These grants are used to administer vital programs such as multi- jurisdictional drug enforcement teams, anti-drug education programs, treatment programs and alternative sentencing initiatives.

If enacted, the President's budget cuts will have far reaching effects on our local communities. Local drug enforcement teams are crucial to keeping our communities drug free. If Byrne Grants are zeroed out they will be unable to hire the officers they need to sustain their drug enforcement teams.

And let me tell you--when it comes to drug abuse, no community--urban or rural--is immune to this problem. To highlight how important these local teams are to our rural districts, take a look at this article from a local paper in

my First Congressional District of Michigan. On April 13th the Huron Undercover Narcotics Team seized 3,000 Oxycontin tablets from a home in the rural county of Presque Isle. This is just one example of the critical work these Narcotics Teams do everyday to keep our communities safe.

This Country's Drug problems are not going away. In fact, with the emergence of prescription drugs used and dealt illegally like Oxycontin, some would argue the problems are getting worse. My question is why are we zeroing out the funding that enables programs like the Huron Undercover Narcotics Team to exist and combat this problem that is only growing more severe?

We also need to provide assistance to help regional law enforcement and first responders talk to each other in times of emergency. My bill, H.R. 1323 ``The Public Safety Interoperability Implementation Act'', would provide grants to local law enforcement agencies to modernize their communication systems and become interoperable. These are the kinds of resources and tools I'm talking about!! We need to do everything possible to ensure that our law enforcement officers are fully interoperable.

Currently, firefighters and law enforcement officials may not be able to communicate with each other even if they work in the same jurisdiction. The tragic events of September 11th illustrated why it is so important that our law enforcement officials are fully interoperable. 343 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers lost their lives in the WorId Trade Center on September 11th. 121 of these brave firefighters lost their lives due to fact that they were unable to talk to each other.

When our first responders are confronted with an emergency situation, it is absolutely necessary that they are able to communicate with one another so they can fully assess the situation and how best to handle it. These are the kind of resources and tools our first responders need. We need to do everything possible to ensure that our law enforcement officers that play an integral role in our nations anti- terrorism efforts are fully interoperable.

We also need to ensure that programs like Thin Blue Line are fully funded. The Thin Blue Line is a non-profit, volunteer organization that assists and supports the families of injured or deceased officers of law enforcement agencies. Thin Blue Line began in Michigan and is now beginning to expand throughout the nation. Thin Blue Line volunteers assist families with applying for benefits, counseling, and answering their question during the most difficult of circumstances. These officers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and their families deserve to be honored, respected, and supported any way we can.

I am hopeful that we can continue to show our commitment to law enforcement by supporting their important funding needs as well as supporting these important pieces of legislation. It is the least we can do for those who put their lives on the line for us everyday.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill will transfer control of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund from the National Park Service to the nonprofit National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to ensure the much needed maintenance and repairs to the memorial are made in an effective and timely manner.

In 1996, the United States Commemorative Coin Act of 1996 was signed into law. This law mandated the minting and sale of several commemorative coins, including the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Silver Dollar. Surcharges from the coin sale were to be placed in a special interest-bearing account established by the U.S. Treasury and to be maintained by the National Park Service. The revenues generated were then to be used to maintain the memorial and interest accrued was to be used towards establishing a scholarship fund for the children of officers who were killed in the line of duty.

Unfortunately, due to a series of unintentional oversights, the nearly $1.4 million generated from the sale of the coin was misplaced and until recently was never invested by the U.S. Treasury in an interest-bearing account, as required by law.

For the past 6 years, the Memorial Fund has tried, unsuccessfully, to gain access to the maintenance fund to make needed repairs to the memorial. During this time, the Memorial Fund has spent more than $250,000 of its own funds, despite the existence of the $1.4 million.

Therefore, to ensure the money of the maintenance fund is spent in accordance with the original intent of the law, I have worked with the National Park Service and the National

Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to introduce legislation requiring the Park Service and the Officers Memorial Fund enter into a cooperative agreement outlining how the money in the maintenance fund will be spent. It is imperative that we correct this oversight and ensure the financial viability of the Officers Memorial Fund.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2107, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund of 2005. The bill will transfer control of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund from the National Park Service to the non-profit National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to ensure the much needed maintenance and repairs to the Memorial are made in a timely and effective manner.

In 1996, the United States Commemorative Coin Act of 1996 was signed into law. This law mandated the minting and sale of several commemorative coins, including a National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Silver Dollar. Surcharges from the coin sale were to be placed in a special interest-interest bearing account established by the U.S. Treasury and to be maintained by the National Park Service. The revenues generated were then to be used to maintain the Memorial, and interest accrued was to be used towards establishing a scholarship fund for the children of officers who were killed in the line of duty.

Unfortunately, due to a series of unintentional oversights, the nearly $1.4 million generated from the sale of the coin was misplaced, and until recently, was never invested by the U.S. Treasury in an interest-bearing account, as required by law.

For the past six years, the Memorial Fund has tried, unsuccessfully, to gain access to the maintenance Fund to make needed repairs to the memorial. During this time, the Memorial Fund has spent more than $250,000 of its own funds, despite the existence of $1.4 million they raised from the sale of the commemorative coin. These funds were intended for the purpose of making repairs to the memorial, as specifically outlined in federal legislation.

Therefore, to ensure the money in the maintenance fund is spent in accordance with the original intent of the law, I have worked with the National Park Service and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to introduce legislation requiring the Park Service and the Officers Memorial Fund enter into a cooperative agreement outlining how the money in the maintenance fund will be spent. It is imperative we correct this oversight, and secure the financial viability of the Officers Memorial Fund.

This past Friday, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial held their annual candlelight vigil, honoring the 153 brave men and women who lost their lives in defense of their communities in 2004. The Memorial hosted nearly 20,000 family members, law enforcement officers, and friends of law enforcement, who gathered to pay tribute to these fallen heroes. In addition to the pain and suffering of tragically losing a loved one, can you imagine the added stress had these families visited an unkempt site? Had the Officers Memorial Fund not used their own funds to provide routine maintenance and repair, grieving families would not have descended upon a memorial fit to honor the sacrifices made by their loved ones.

Ladies and gentlemen, in 1984, Congress honored those officers who worked devotedly and selflessly on behalf of the people of our Nation by authorizing a memorial built in their honor. Over a decade later, Congress again authorized support for our law enforcement community by issuing a coin sale to help cover the costs of maintaining their memorial. Which brings us to today, over 20 years later, we must continue to ensure these sacrifices made are memorialized in perpetuity.

This week, the Nation pays tribute to our law enforcement community by celebrating National Police Week. Enacted 43 years ago, this weeklong celebration commemorates law enforcement officers, past and present, who have, through their courageous and enduring commitment to maintaining the safety and security of all citizens, earned the respect and recognition of this grateful Nation.

Please join me in continuing to honor these brave men and women by supporting H.R. 2107.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 15, 2005, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing on the nomination of Mr. Ben S. Bernanke, of New Jersey, to be a member and chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Tuesday November 15, 2005, at 10 a.m., on Public Policy Options for Encouraging Alternative Automotive Fuel Technologies.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, November 15, at 10 a.m. The purpose of this hearing is to evaluate and receive a status report on the environmental management programs of the Department of Energy.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet in open Executive Session during the session on Tuesday, November 15, 2005, at 10 a.m. to consider an original bill that will include the Committee's budget reconciliation instructions pertaining to expiring tax provisions and also additional incentives for hurricane affected areas.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, November 15, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. to hold a hearing on Treaties.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to meet to conduct a hearing on ``Judicial Nominations'' on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 226.

Witness List

Panel I: Members of Congress.

Panel II: Virginia Mary Kendall to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois; Kristi DuBose to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama; W. Keith Watkins to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on Airland be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 15, 2005, at 2:30 p.m., in open session to receive testimony on defense acquisition issues related to tactical aviation and army programs.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on

Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security be authorized to meet on Tuesday, November 15, 2005, at 3 p.m. for a hearing regarding ``Iran: Teheran's Nuclear Recklessness and the U.S. Response--The Experts' Perspective.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on National Parks of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, November 15 at 2:30 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following Bills: S. 431, a Bill to establish a program to award grants to improve and maintain sites honoring Presidents of the United States, S. 505, a bill to amend the Yuma Crossing National Heritage ARA Act of 2000 to adjust the boundary of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, S. 1288, a Bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements to protect natural resources of units of the National Park System through collaborative efforts on land inside and outside of units of the National Park System, S. 1544, a Bill to establish the Northern Plains National Heritage Area in the State of North Dakota, and for other purposes, S. Con. Res. 60, a concurrent resolution designating the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, S. 748 and H.R. 1084, Bills to authorize the establishment at Antietam National Battlefield of a memorial to the officers and enlisted men of the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiments and the First New Hampshire Light Artillery Battery who fought in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, and for other purposes, and H.R. 2107, to amend Public Law 104-329 to modify authorities for the use of the Notational Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 266) supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise in support of House Resolution 266 that supports the goals and the ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

This occasion is a day of remembrance of all Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials who were killed or disabled in the line of duty during the past year.

Peace Officers Memorial Day highlights National Police Week, which is observed with several events in Washington this week, from May 15 through May 21. More than 20,000 peace officers and their families are expected to congregate here in the Nation's Capital for National Police Week 2005.

Mr. Speaker, on October 1, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed into law legislation that designates both May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week containing May 15 as National Police Officers Week.

However, the first National Peace Officers Memorial Day service was not officially held until May 15, 1982, and since then May 15 has indeed been a solemn date on the law enforcement calendar.

In addition to the focus of the observance here in Washington, National Police Week is also recognized by police officers across the country. And since we all witnessed police officers' indescribable bravery on September 11, 2001, Americans have intensified their appreciation for the men and women of our Nation's law enforcement.

These courageous individuals are the essential parts of our entire homeland security effort. They deserve to be thanked by each and every one of us for the protection that they provide and for the freedom that they ensure.

Peace officers are true American heroes. Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to thank the distinguished gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), a great friend of law enforcement, for sponsoring House Resolution 266.

Mr. Speaker, I am confident that all of my colleagues will join the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley) and myself in supporting this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 266.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.