A concurrent resolution condemning the decision by the city of St. Denis, France, to name a street in honor of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the convicted murderer of Philadelphia Police Officer Danny Faulkner.

Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution to condemn an action that I find terribly appalling. On April 29, 2006, the municipal government of St. Denis, France, named a street in honor of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the convicted killer of Philadelphia Police Officer Danny Faulkner. Representative Fitzpatrick has introduced a similar resolution in the House of Representatives.

On the morning of December 9, 1981, Officer Danny Faulkner, a 5 year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, made a traffic stop at Locust Street near Twelfth Street. The car stopped by Officer Faulkner was driven by William Cook who was driving the wrong way down a one way street. William Cook's brother, Mumia Abu-Jamal, was across the street. As Faulkner attempted to handcuff William Cook, Abu-Jamal ran from across the street and shot the officer in the back. Faulkner was able to fire one shot that struck Abu-Jamal in the chest; the wounded officer then fell to the pavement. Mumia Abu-Jamal stood over the officer and shot him four more times at close range, including one directly in the face. Abu-Jamal was found at the scene of the shooting by officers who arrived there within seconds.

Official ballistics tests on the fatal bullet confirmed that Officer Faulkner was killed by a bullet identical in type, brand, and caliber to the bullet found in Abu-Jamal's gun. Witnesses to the brutal slaying identified Abu-Jamal as the killer both at the scene and during his trial. In July 1982, Mumia Abu-Jamal was convicted of murdering Officer Danny Faulkner and was sentenced to death. Abu-Jamal has had numerous legal appeals, including to the PA State Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court, and his conviction has been upheld each time.

I am outraged that the municipal government of St. Denis, France would make such a thoughtless and insensitive decision as to name a street after the murderer of a Philadelphia police officer. This is a monumental insult to the memory of Danny Faulkner, to his family, and to the courageous men and women who put on a police uniform every day to protect our communities. Officer Danny Faulkner gave his life to keep our nation's streets safe. St. Denis lawmakers have made the chilling decision of choosing to support a cold-blooded killer over a police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice.

I hope my Senate colleagues will join me in condemning the murder of Officer Faulkner, and urging the municipal government of St. Denis to take immediate action to change the name of ``Rue Mumia Abu-Jamal.'' If such action is not taken, this resolution urges the French Government to take appropriate action against the city of St. Denis to change the name of the street. Finally, this resolution appropriately commends all police officers for their commitment to public service and public safety. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.