Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1299, supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Every year the President issues a proclamation naming May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Of course, in the days leading up to May 15, thousands of peace officers and their families come to Washington, D.C. They come here to remember their fellow officers and their loved ones who have given their lives, all in the line of duty. They participate in conferences and memorial services. They honor the memories of those who worked so hard to protect our communities and, in the end, made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives for the rest of us.

Americans have been protected by peace officers for 217 years, ever since the early settlers in Boston, Massachusetts. They established a program called Night Watch to safeguard those Bostonians.

Not a day goes by that law enforcement officers do not face danger in their mission to keep us safe from crime, acts of violence, and now terrorism. On May 17, 1792, New York City's Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith became the first recorded peace officer to be killed in the line of duty.

Mr. Speaker, since that time, 18,600 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty. Let me repeat: 18,600 peace officers in the United States have been killed in the line of duty. On average, 58,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted every year; and in 2009, 125 of those officers were killed protecting other Americans. Five of those fallen officers were from my home State of Texas. Those individuals were Senior Corporal Norman Smith of the Dallas Police Department. He was killed by gunfire on June 6, 2009. Lieutenant Stuart Alexander from the Corpus Christi Police Department. He was killed by vehicular assault on March 11, 2009. Sergeant Randy White of the Bridgeport PD was killed by a vehicle pursuit on April 2, 2009. Houston police officer Henry Canales was killed by gunfire on June 23, 2009. And Jesse Hamilton was killed on August 25 by gunfire, and he was a member of the Pasadena Police Department of the State of Texas.

2009 was a particularly difficult year for peace officer families. On the 21st day of March 2009, four members of the Oakland, California Police Department were shot and killed in the line of duty. Sergeants Mark Dunakin, Ervin Romans, Dan Sakai and Officer John Hege gave their lives in service to their fellow Americans, and we honor them in their service today.

On November 29, 2009 four members of the Lakewood Police Department in Washington were brutally ambushed as they sat in a coffee shop catching up on paperwork and planning for their upcoming shift. Sergeant Mark Renninger and Officers Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens and Greg Richards were all veteran law enforcement officers, each with between 8 and 14 years of experience. This loss was a staggering blow to the Lakewood community and the national community of peace officers. We continue to mourn this senseless loss and honor them for their service.

Although there has been great progress in protecting the safety of these men and women who wear the uniform, the death of every officer serves as a reminder to the whole country that our Nation's law enforcement officers still face dangerous and potentially deadly situations every day.

During my 20 years as a judge in Texas, I had the privilege of working alongside some of America's finest police officers. Later, during my term on the bench, some of those police officers were killed in the line of duty. Now, as a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Victims Rights Caucus, I recognize that peace officers are too often victims of crimes they seek to prevent.

When a peace officer puts on a uniform in the morning, they represent everything that is good, everything that is right about our country. And I am privileged to honor them here today.

Mr. Speaker, we in this House of Representatives need to always remember that outside these Halls, on the rooftops and around the Capitol are the Capitol police officers watching and protecting those who come to the people's House, to the Capitol Building and the surrounding buildings. And we need to remember that in 1998, two of those Capitol police officers, Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, were killed in the line of duty in this very building as they were protecting other Members of Congress from a gun-wielding assailant that came into this place.

We should always remember that these peace officers every day are a cut above the rest of us, and they do represent everything that's good and fine and right about America.

Later this week, not far from here, on the west side of the Capitol, there will be the families of the slain police officers in the United States. Surrounding them, in a group, will be thousands and thousands of peace officers in the United States, all wearing the uniform, wearing a badge that they wear above their heart and a black cloth across that badge. Those people stand in honor of those families that have lost loved ones who were peace officers that represented the rest of us and were killed in the line of duty. We owe them everything that we can say that is good and noble about their work. We honor them. We praise those that are in the line of duty. We remember those that were killed in the line of duty, and we also remember their families.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1094: ``Commemorating the life of the late Cynthia DeLores Tucker.''

Although it has been almost five years since the world lost a true pioneer and leader, but the legacy of C. DeLores Tucker endures. October 13, 2005 did not mark a tragedy; rather, it marked a day of celebration as to the achievements and legacy of a paragon of the woman leader. It is an honor for me to stand here today to celebrate the passing on of Dr. C. DeLores Tucker to her rightful place among other angels and saints.

Dr. Tucker represented a major segment of African American and political history in the U.S. She was among the many women stalwarts of our lifetime that led on so many different issues. The key aspect about Dr. Tucker's efforts was that they were not for personal gain. I would compare her to an eagle that spread its wings to help other women--not only African Americans, but all women. She provided the wind and momentum for other women to ascend to equality and a better quality of life.

Given the long fight that our dear DeLores and I endeavored together in the Halls of Congress, I ask your short indulgence as I cite an excerpt from the words spoken by a similar pioneer, Madame Sojourner Truth, in her ``Ain't I a Woman?'' speech delivered at a women's rights convention in Akron, Ohio in 1851:

That man over there says that women need to be helped into

carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best

place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or

over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a

woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and

planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me!

And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as

a man--when I could get it--and bear the lash as well! And

ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen

most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my

mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

. . .

If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart,

wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half

measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't

have as much rights as men, `cause Christ wasn't a woman!

Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come

from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn

the world upside down all alone, these women together ought

to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!

And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't

got nothing more to say.

Dr. Tucker did just this--she fought until the fight was made, she spoke until ``she ain't [had] nothing more to say.'' For women's rights, civil rights, the disenfranchised, or the underrepresented, she stood up like a warrior and a leader, and the progress she made will be enjoyed by many for as long as man exists. As author Ron Daniels said in his opinion piece in the Madison Times, DeLores was not afraid to denounce gang violence, fratricide, or the denigration of women in rap lyrics; not afraid to implore our children to devote less time to athletics and more to academics; and staunchly advocated excellence in education, improved parenting skills, and the harnessing of our economic resources as a distinct market. It did not have to be sexy, popular, or self-promoting to be right for Dr. C. DeLores Tucker, and I had the privilege of standing next to her in the trenches of the fight for equality.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. C. DeLores Tucker was a close and valued friend for many years. Her crusade for women's and civil rights served not only as an inspiration to women, minorities, and other traditionally disadvantaged groups, but to all of society, and her lifelong service indeed worked for its betterment. From her devout involvement in the Democratic Party to her founding of the Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr., Association for Non-Violent Change, she embodied the tenacity and courage necessary to eradicate the disparities and bigotry that continues to constrain the attainment of equality.

Of her many endearing qualities were the fact that her service was never for personal gain and that it was boundless--she never hesitated to travel the extra mile to help others. This was evident in her singular work as the lead advocate to urge the recognition and honor of abolitionist Sojourner Truth with the addition of her likeness to the statue commemorating women's suffrage in the rotunda of the United States Capitol. Bill, as you know, her determined, passionate, and powerful efforts have ultimately resulted in the honoring of Sojourner Truth. Our own DeLores was in her own right a guiding light of truth. The love and devotion that she displayed in this endeavor continue to inspire legislators and supporters.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1094) commemorating the life of the late Cynthia DeLores Tucker.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1094 commemorates the life of the late Cynthia DeLores Tucker. Cynthia DeLores Tucker dedicated her life to eliminating racial barriers by championing civil rights and the rights of women. In particular, Ms. Tucker realized that voting was the most important civil right denied to African Americans and the key to changing this country. She spent her career in service to the principle that there could be no equality without equal access to the ballot box.

Born October 4, 1927, the 10th of 11 children, she grew up in Philadelphia during the Great Depression, overcoming a childhood marked by economic hardship and segregation, to attend Temple University and later the University of Pennsylvania.

In what would become the first step in her long career as a civil rights activist, Ms. Tucker worked to register African-American voters during the 1950 Philadelphia mayoral campaign. Shortly thereafter, she became active in local politics, serving as the first African American and first woman on the Philadelphia Zoning Board.

Driven by her belief that no one should be denied the right to participate in our democracy, Ms. Tucker went on to participate in the White House Conference on Civil Rights and to march from Selma to Montgomery with Dr. King in support of the 1965 Voting Rights Bill.

In 1971, Ms. Tucker was named Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by then-Governor Milton Shapp, making her the first female African American to hold this position in any State in the Nation. Under her leadership as Secretary of the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania became one the first States to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, to lower the voting age from 21 to 18, and to institute voter registration through the mail.

After leaving her position in Pennsylvania State Government, Ms. Tucker continued to dedicate her time to public service and the promotion of civil rights through private organizations. She served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the NAACP, and on numerous other boards, including the Points of Light Foundation and Delaware Valley College.

In 1984, Ms. Tucker co-founded the National Political Congress of Black Women, now known as the National Congress of Black Women, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the educational, political, economic and cultural development of African-American women and their families.

Mr. Speaker, Cynthia DeLores Tucker was a crusader for civil rights and the rights of women. Through her dedication to voting rights and the civil rights movement, she helped transform the perception of race and gender in the United States.

I'd like to commend my colleague, Diane Watson, for introducing this resolution. It is important that this Nation remember and honor the outstanding work of civil rights activists like Ms. Tucker.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to commemorate the life and to honor the legacy of Cynthia DeLores Tucker by supporting this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1299, which recognizes the men and women who have given their lives in the line of duty as law enforcement officers. This is an important measure that pays tribute to the selfless men and women who lost their lives as they worked to protect the American people. These brave individuals deserve our national gratitude for their sacrifice.

I thank Chairman Conyers for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. I also thank the sponsor of this legislation, Congressman Poe, for his dedication to ensuring that the men and women who protect our families and communities are honored for their bravery, service, and sacrifice.

Careers in law enforcement are inherently dangerous and the men and women who decide to serve as police officers should be commended for their bravery. Today, there are more than 900,000 law enforcement officers in the United States who risk their lives every day to protect our communities. Following the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, more than seventy law enforcement officers were killed while rescuing victims and restoring a sense of order during this time of national tragedy. September 11, 2001, was the deadliest day for law enforcement officers in the history of our nation.

More than 18,600 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty throughout the history of the United States. These police officers were killed while responding to disturbance calls, making arrests in robberies, investigating suspicious circumstances, making traffic stops, and countless other efforts to protect the American people and ensure the safety of our communities.

In my district in Long Beach, California, 28 police officers have died in the line of duty. In a Peace Officers Memorial Day tribute, Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster eloquently stated, ``All of our officers and firefighters chose a profession where they could no longer sit still and proclaim that somebody should do something. Thinking about taking action and actually taking action is what separates the good from the great; the well intentioned from the heroes.'' I agree with Mayor Foster. Law enforcement officers are true American heroes.

I salute the bravery and dedication of law enforcement officers at the Federal, State, and local levels. I extend my deepest sympathy to the loved ones of police officers who have been killed while working to protect the American people.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1299.

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

Mr. Speaker, in the last House resolution that we just discussed, Peace Officers Memorial Day, H. Res. 1299, I also want to mention the fact that Deputy Sheriff Shane Thomas Detwiler of the Chambers County Sheriff's Department in Texas was killed in the line of duty on July 13, 2009, and his cause of death was gunfire.

In this resolution, H. Res. 1094, of course I support this resolution. And this resolution commemorates the life of the late Cynthia DeLores Tucker. Ms. Tucker dedicated her life to eliminating racial barriers and fighting for civil rights and the rights of women. In 1927 she was born in Philadelphia. Her dad was a minister. After overcoming financial hardship and segregation during the Great Depression, she attended Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania at the Wharton School.

As part of the postwar civil rights movement, she worked to register African American voters in the 1950 Philadelphia mayor's race. She later became the first African American and the first woman to serve on the Philadelphia Zoning Board.

Then in 1965 she marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in support of the 1956 Voting Rights Act.

In 1971 she became Secretary of the State of Pennsylvania, making her the first female African American Secretary of State in the whole United States.

In 1984, Ms. Tucker founded the National Political Congress of Black Women, today known as the National Congress of Black Women; and with the help of this organization, she criticized the promotion of drugs and violence in gangsta rap music, and also how women were treated in the music industry.

She was also the founding member of the National Women's Political Caucus, and she was head of the minority caucus of the Democratic National Committee. Her life's work on behalf of racial and gender equality truly reaped fruitful change in our country.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. I commend the sponsor of this resolution, Diane Watson from California.

I yield back the balance of my time.