Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 264, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on May 15, 2010. This memorable event will provide an opportunity to honor the officers who work for States, counties, Federal law enforcement, military police, correction officers, and as peace officers in the United States and its territories and to also honor those officers that have died in the line of duty in 2009.

In October 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day. Each year on this date, we, as a nation, have an opportunity to honor the commitment with which peace officers perform their daily task of protecting our local communities. Today, the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on Capitol Hill has become one in a series of well-attended events during the annual Police Week organized by the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, the Fraternal Order of Police, and Concerns of Police Survivors.

The 2010 event marks the 29th time the Capitol Grounds will be used for this noteworthy event. According to the National Peace Officers' Memorial Fund, there are approximately 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers serving the American public today. Thirty-five states and Puerto Rico had officers killed in 2009. Of the 116 officers killed, 51 were killed during a traffic-related incident, 49 were killed in a firearms-related incident, and 16

were killed in other types of incidents. Although the 116 peace officers that died in action in 2009 is the lowest number since 1959, each officer's death is a tragedy, and we should honor the sacrifices made by those who have been killed in the line of duty.

Activities on the Capitol Grounds conducted under H. Con. Res. 264 will be coordinated with the Architect of the Capitol, will be free, and open to the public.

It is fitting that we pay tribute the lives, sacrifices, and public service of our brave peace officers and their families today. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 264.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 264) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 264.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 264 authorizes use of the Capitol grounds for the 29th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, a solemn and respectful public event in our Nation's capital honoring our heroic civil servants who were killed in the line of duty in the previous year.

Mr. Speaker, 116 brave men and women were killed in the line of duty in 2009, the fewest number since 1959. The total number of officers killed in the line of duty declined 16 percent from 2008. Unfortunately, the number of officers shot and killed had a dramatic rise and increased 22 percent from the previous year. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Fund, the number of incidents where more than one officer was killed by a single gunman accounted for 15 deaths, nearly a third of the officers killed in firearms-related incidents.

There were three peace officers who died in Illinois in 2009, including one from my congressional district in Centreville, Illinois, Gregory Jonas.

The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service is a fitting tribute to all Federal, State and local peace officers who gave their lives in the daily work of protecting our families, our homes and our workplaces.

Consistent with all Capitol Hill events, the memorial service will be free and open to the public. I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this tribute to our fallen peace officers.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 264 authorizes the use of the Capitol grounds for the 29th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service to be held on May 15. The memorial service will be just one event of many planned for Police Week to honor the sacrifices of the men and women who serve in law enforcement and to give special recognition of those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

In 1962, Congress established Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week through a joint resolution of Congress. And, in 1982, the first official memorial service took place in Senate Park with 125 people gathered to honor 91 officers. Since that time, law enforcement from around the world have come to D.C. to participate in week-long events to honor the brave service and sacrifice of officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

Today, thousands of people participate in the events, including the memorial service, and over 3,000 law enforcement officers have been honored from around our Nation. Currently, there are approximately 900,000 law enforcement officers in the United States that selflessly risk their lives so that we can be safe and protected.

Unfortunately, on average, 160 officers each year lose their lives in the line of duty. And there are approximately 16,000 assaults on police officers each year, resulting in nearly 60,000 injuries. This year, 324 fallen officers will be honored, including 116 who lost their lives in 2009. Police Week will serve to honor the service and sacrifice law enforcement officers make for us every day.

I support this resolution and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 264, just received from the House and now at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.