Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to raising public awareness of and helping to prevent attacks against Federal employees while engaged in or on account of the performance of official duties.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res 1187, ``Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to raising public awareness of and helping to prevent attacks against Federal employees while engaged in or on account of the performance of official duties.''

H. Res. 1187 will resolve that the House of Representatives: Expresses the Nation's appreciation for the outstanding contributions made by Federal employees to the United States; Supports the goal of protecting the safety and security of our Federal employees; and Urges that the Government seek ways to improve the safety and security of our Federal employees. I rise today to urge the passing of House Resolution 1187. Not too long ago our country suffered from the Oklahoma City bombing, one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism on American soil. This cowardly act of terrorism killed 168 people, 19 of them children. The victims were mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents, grandchildren, friends, and co-workers.

The bombing in Oklahoma City was a direct attack against the dedicated men and women of the Federal Civil Service. The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building housed 14 Federal agencies, and nearly 100 Federal employees lost their lives that morning. We must honor their sacrifice by remaining steadfast in our commitment to prevent future attacks on the Federal government, Federal employees, and other acts of domestic terror. I am deeply troubled by recent threats of violence against government employees. This February, an attack on Federal offices threatened the lives of 200 IRS workers and took the life of Vernon Hunter, a 20-year army Veteran who served two tours in Vietnam, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and mentor to co-workers at the IRS. The Oklahoma City bombing and the most recent attacks serve as stark reminders that threats against Federal employees may pose real dangers. They remind us of our solemn duty to protect our public servants.

After the Oklahoma City bombing, President Bill Clinton directed the Department of Justice to assess the vulnerability of Federal office

buildings. Prior to this study, no formal government-wide standards existed for Federal buildings. The IRS has recorded some 1,200 attacks on its employees since 2001. The Justice Department investigates some 300 cases per year. In March, a deranged individual walked up to the Pentagon entrance and opened fire with a semi-automatic weapon injuring two Pentagon guards. In February, a plane was flown into the IRS building in Austin, TX in an act of murder-suicide that claimed the life of a two-tour Vietnam Veteran.

With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the responsibility to protect our Federal facilities was transferred to the Federal Protective Service (FPS). The FPS is a federal law enforcement agency that provides integrated security and law enforcement services to federally owned and leased buildings and facilities. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee and Chairwoman of the Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, I am committed to working with my colleagues to support federal legislation that will protect our federal employees. I support the mission of the FPS that renders federal properties safe and secure for federal employees, officials and visitors in a professional and cost effective manner by deploying a highly trained and multi-disciplined police force. As the federal agency charged with protecting and delivering integrated law enforcement and security services to facilities owned or leased by the General Services Administration, FPS employs 1,225 federal staff (including 900 law enforcement security officers, criminal investigators, police officers, and support personnel) and 15,000 contract guard staff to secure over 9,000 buildings and safeguard their occupants.

The FPS has a critical infrastructure and key resources of the United States that are essential to our nation's security, public health and safety, economic vitality and way of life. FPS protects one component of the nation's infrastructure by mitigating risk to federal facilities and their occupants.

As we remember the victims and survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing and other acts of terrorism, let us all take a moment to reflect upon the dedication and sacrifices of the men and women who work hard to keep our federal buildings secure and those of us who work in them safe. Federal workers maintain our national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests, and secure our borders, and in times of natural disaster. The more than two million civilian employees in the federal workforce deserve a reasonable degree of personal safety and security while carrying out their duties.

It is incumbent upon the Congress and the Administration to look for ways to improve their safety. I support H. Res 1187 and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the gentleman from New York, the chairman of the committee, and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter). Thank you very much for bringing this resolution to the floor.

The purpose is to help prevent attacks against Federal employees while they are engaged in or on account of the performance of their official duties.

Last month, we commemorated the 15th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. This act of violence claimed 168 lives and injured more than 680 people. It was the most destructive act of terrorism on United States soil until the September 11, 2001, attacks. The Oklahoma City bomber, Timothy McVeigh, made Federal employees his target because he was angry at the United States Government.

In the 15 years since that horrific bombing, Federal employees have been the target of a great number of attacks. Internal Revenue Service employees have borne the brunt, as those who are frustrated with tax problems have taken their frustrations out on IRS workers just doing their jobs, in fact, carrying out the laws that the Congress makes. The IRS has recorded some 1,200 attacks on its employees since September 2001. Attacking a Federal employee engaged in or because of his or her work is a Federal crime. The Justice Department investigates some 300 cases per year.

We are a free society. Strong rhetoric is acceptable, even fashionable. But rhetoric should not inspire violence. Federal agencies devote significant resources and develop procedures to protect their employees. But two recent attacks on Federal employees highlight what I see as a worrying trend. In February, a plane was flown into the IRS building in Austin in an act of murder-suicide that claimed the life of a veteran of two tours in Vietnam.

In March, another deranged individual walked up to the Pentagon entrance and opened fire with a semiautomatic weapon, injuring two Pentagon guards. These acts were more than sensational attempts at mass murder. They were acts of domestic terrorism with Federal employees as the target.

We have the finest, most professional civil service in the world, and we take for granted that our Federal workers provide many forms of dedicated and important service to our Nation. Civilian employees serve in war zones providing essential support to our military. Federal workers maintain our national parks, our wildlife refuges and forests, secure our borders, and respond in times of natural disaster, as we can see in the gulf oil spill.

Our diplomats advance our country's interests around the world, very often in dangerous environments. The more than 2 million civilian employees in the Federal workforce deserve a reasonable degree of personal safety and security while carrying out their duties implementing the laws we make. It is incumbent upon the Congress and the administration to ensure their safety.

We have a responsibility and that's why I have introduced this bill, a responsibility to protect our Nation's Federal employees. House Resolution 1187 calls for a renewed commitment to our civil servants, and I urge my colleagues to unanimously support it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1187, which recognizes Federal employees for their outstanding service to our Nation and stresses the importance of promoting their safety and security while they are at work. H. Res. 1187 is an important measure that raises public awareness in regards to both the excellent work performed by Federal employees and the need to protect them on the job.

I thank Chairman Towns for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. I also thank the sponsor of this legislation, Congressman Moran, for recognizing the importance of seeking ways to improve the safety and security of Federal employees.

Federal employees work long hours every day to ensure that Government is working for the American people. In return, we must do what we can to show our appreciation for their service. This includes ensuring their safety while at work. Unfortunately, recent events show that we can do more.

Mr. Speaker, as Chairwoman of the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Emergency, Communications, Preparedness, and Response, I am particularly attuned to the threats facing our Federal employees. Between 2001 and 2008, more than 1,200 attacks have been made on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) buildings. The February 18, 2010 attack on the Austin, Texas IRS building claimed the life of two-tour Vietnam veteran Vernon Hunter. The March 4, 2010 shooting that injured two Pentagon guards represented the fourth attack or security scare on a Federal building in 2010.

These unfortunate events show that we must adopt a heightened focus on protecting Federal employees and securing Federal workplaces. Additionally, we should also be grateful for the service of the state and local government employees throughout the country and work to ensure that they, too, are safe at work. As the representative of thousands of state and local government employees, I understand the importance of the work they perform to ensure that our states and cities are run fairly and efficiently. We must be dedicated to their workplace safety.

In addition, these attacks should also serve as a reminder of the need to enhance our security efforts not only for government employees, but for all Americans. The areas in and around my district contain multiple infrastructure sites of national importance, such as the Port of Long Beach, the Gerald Desmond Bridge, and the Alameda Corridor. Due to the constant flow of goods through these sites, they are vulnerable to attack and intentional sabotage. We must enhance our national security efforts to ensure that these sites, and the hundreds of others across the country, are secure and that the American people are safe.

Mr. Speaker, we must continue to protect the people who serve us every day. I applaud the Federal employees who dedicate their lives in making sure government is working on behalf of the American people.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1187.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1187) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to raising public awareness of and helping to prevent attacks against Federal employees while engaged in or on account of the performance of official duties, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, with H. Res. 1187, this Chamber expresses its commitment to the safety and security of our Nation's public servants. H. Res. 1187 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran) on March 16, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 70 Members of the House.

Mr. Speaker, the men and women of our Federal workforce deserve our appreciation and our support. Their efforts are often undervalued, but they provide our Nation with many forms of critical services. The Federal workforce includes firefighters, law enforcement officers, and military support personnel. Federal employees protect the public, help keep our food and water clean, defend our borders, and preserve our national parks. They deliver our mail, care for our veterans, and provide all manners of other services that keep our country going.

While we in Congress may debate the details about the proper role that the Federal Government should play in our country, we can all agree that Federal employees should be able to expect to be able to carry out their duties with a degree of safety and security.

The Department of Justice has filed over a thousand cases relating to attacks against Federal employees since 2006, including a suicide attack on the Internal Revenue Service office in Austin, Texas. On February 18 of this year, that attack claimed the life of a two-tour Vietnam veteran, Vernon Hunter. The shooting attack at the entrance of the Pentagon on March 4 injured two Pentagon guards and was the fourth attack or scare on a Federal building in 2010.

These attacks sadden us all, and I am glad we are taking the time to condemn attacks against our Federal employees and to affirm our commitment to their safety and their security.

I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) and also thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran) and the staff for their work to bring this to where we are today. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Mr. Speaker, I think it is so important that we protect and support our Federal employees. Let me again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to reserve the balance of my time so we may hear from the sponsor of the resolution, Mr. Moran.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1187, which increases public awareness to help prevent future attacks against Federal employees while engaged in or on account of the performance of their official duties. Truly, we must do all we can to prevent Federal workers from being victims of violence because of their public service.

Every year, hundreds of Federal workers are victims of cowardly acts of violence. In 2008 alone, the Department of Justice filed 303 cases against people who attacked Federal workers. And tragically, in 2010, we have already witnessed such instances of violence.

Mr. Speaker, our civilian Federal employees must not become victims of violence because of their jobs. Civilian Federal employees must feel safe while doing their jobs and serving our country.

I ask my colleagues to support this resolution so we may raise public awareness of these attacks and to prevent future attacks. Thus, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H. Res. 1187.

I yield back the balance of my time.