Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 47, supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Each year, the President issues a proclamation naming May the 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. I decided to introduce this piece of legislation again because I believe that Congress should pay the tribute to the brave men and women who proudly serve us as law enforcement officers.

Americans have been protected by peace officers for now 217 years, and it all goes back to the early settlers in Boston that established a program called ``night watch'' to safeguard their citizens.

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. Since that time, 18,340 peace officers have been killed while on the job. Each year, over 50,000 police officers are assaulted, and in 2008, 140 of these brave officers were killed protecting their fellow Americans. Of these 140 officers, 10 percent, 14, are from my home State of Texas.

A quote by President George H.W. Bush is engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial located in Washington, DC that summarizes the mission of the 900,000 current sworn peace officers in this country. It states that it is an officer's ``continuing quest to preserve both democracy and decency and to protect a national treasure that we call the American dream.'' It is clear this quest is worthy of the respect that our citizens show for their peace officers.

In paying homage to these fallen heroes, we are once again reminded that in 1961 Congress created Peace Officers Memorial Day and designated it to be commemorated each year on May 15th. This yearly tribute to peace officers provides each of us with an opportunity to honor those who lost their lives while protecting the citizens of this country.

Thousands of visitors pay respect to our peace officers at the National Law Enforcement Memorial on May 15th. On May 15th of this year, a flag will be flown at half staff, as it always is on that date, to show respect and gratitude for the fallen peace officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our citizens.

We appreciate with gratitude all of the peace officers for their dedication and their sacrifice. During my 20 years as a judge in Texas, I had the absolute privilege of working alongside some of America's finest peace officers. Some of those have been killed in the line of duty. Now, as founder and cochair of the Congressional Victims Rights Caucus, I recognize that unfortunately peace officers are too victims, as many citizens are.

And they are actually, Mr. Speaker, the last strand of wire in the fence between the law and those that violate the law. I'm grateful for the brave and selfless service of this Nation's peace officers.

With that, I ask all Members to join me in support of H. Res. 47.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I would like to recognize two gentlemen that not too long ago in this Capitol, the People's House, on July 28, 1998, Jacob Chestnut and John Michael Gibson, Capitol police officers, while we were having a memorial ceremony here in the Rotunda, these two officers protected the lives of other Members of the House of Representatives, and because of that, both of them were killed in the line of duty. So they are two of many peace officers that gave up their lives for the rest of us.

I mentioned that there were 14 peace officers from the State of Texas that were killed last year. Mr. Speaker. They are:

Deputy Constable David Joubert from the Harris County Constable's Office.

Police Officer Matthew Thebeau from the Corpus Christi Police Department.

Corporal Harry Thielepap from the Harris County Constable's Office.

Senior Corporal Victor Lozada, Sr. from the Dallas Police Department.

State Trooper James Burns from the Highway Patrol in Huntsville, Texas.

Police Officer Everett Dennis from the Carthage Police Department.

Sergeant Barbara Shumate from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Police Officer Gary Gryder, a personal friend of mine. He served in the Houston Police Department.

Detective Tommy Keen, Harris County Sheriff's Department.

Game Warden George Whatley, Jr. from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division.

Sheriff Brent Lee of the Trinity County Sheriff's Department.

Police Officer Robert Davis from the San Antonio Police Department.

Police Officer Timothy Abernethy from the Houston Police Department.

Police Officer Mark Simmons from the Amarillo Police Department.

I would like to include at this time the names of all 140 peace officers killed last year in the line of duty.

Corporal Courtney G. Brooks, Maryland Transportation

Authority Police Department, MD, EOW: Tuesday, January 1,

2008, Cause of Death: Vehicular assault.

Deputy Sheriff Jason S. Zunker, Chippewa County Sheriff's

Department, WI, EOW: Saturday, January 5, 2008, Cause of

Death: Struck by vehicle.

Detective James Walker, Miami Police Department, FL, EOW:

Tuesday, January 8, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Deputy Sheriff Sean Pursifull, Bell County Sheriff's

Department, KY, EOW: Thursday, January 10, 2008, Cause of

Death: Vehicular assault.

Deputy Constable David Joubert, Harris County Constable's

Office--Precinct 7, TX, EOW: Sunday, January 13, 2008, Cause

of Death: Motorcycle accident.

Police Officer Ricky Bryant Jr., DeKalb County Police

Department, GA, EOW: Wednesday, January 16, 2008, Cause of

Death: Gunfire.

Police Officer Eric Barker, DeKalb County Police

Department, GA, EOW: Wednesday, January 16, 2008, Cause of

Death: Gunfire.

Detective Jarrod Shivers, Chesapeake Police Department, VA,

EOW: Thursday, January 17, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Senior Border Patrol Agent Luis Alberto Aguilar, United

States Department of Homeland Security--Customs and Border US

(California), EOW: Saturday, January 19, 2008, Cause of

Death: Vehicular assault.

Police Officer Matthew B. Thebeau, Corpus Christi Police

Department, TX, EOW: Sunday, January 20, 2008, Cause of

Death: Automobile accident.

Police Officer Akeem Basil (Teddy) Newton, Virgin Islands

Police Department, VI, EOW: Sunday, January 20, 2008, Cause

of Death: Automobile accident.

Detective Christopher A. Ridley, Mount Vernon Police

Department, NY, EOW: Friday, January 25, 2008, Cause of

Death: Gunfire (Accidental).

Trooper Daniel Roy Barrett, Indiana State Police, IN, EOW:

Sunday, January 27, 2008, Cause of Death: Automobile

accident.

Police Officer Nicola Cotton, New Orleans Police

Department, LA, EOW: Monday, January 28, 2008, Cause of

Death: Gunfire.

Lance Corporal James D. Haynes, South Carolina Highway

Patrol, SC, EOW: Friday, February 1, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Sergeant Richard C. LeBow, Arkansas State Police, AR, EOW:

Monday, February 4, 2008, Cause of Death: Automobile

accident.

Deputy Sheriff Dustin Duncan, Latimer County Sheriff's

Office, OK, EOW: Monday, February 4, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Sergeant William King Biggs Jr., Kirkwood Police

Department, MO, EOW: Thursday, February 7, 2008, Cause of

Death: Gunfire.

Police Officer Thomas Frederick (Tom) Ballman, Kirkwood

Police Department, MO, EOW: Thursday, February 7, 2008, Cause

of Death: Gunfire.

Police Officer Randal (Randy) Simmons, Los Angeles Police

Department, CA, EOW: Thursday, February 7, 2008, Cause of

Death: Gunfire.

Criminal Investigator Denise Phoenix, United States

Department of the Interior--Bureau of Indian Affairs, US

(Montana),

EOW: Thursday, February 14, 2008, Cause of Death: Exposure to

toxins.

Corporal Harry Thielepape, Harris County Constable's

Office--Precinct 6, TX, EOW: Wednesday, February 20, 2008,

Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Senior Corporal Victor A. Lozada Sr., Dallas Police

Department, TX, EOW: Friday, February 22, 2008, Cause of

Death: Motorcycle accident.

Police Officer Mark Beck, Baton Rouge City Police

Department, LA, EOW: Monday, February 25, 2008, Cause of

Death: Automobile accident.

Trooper Kara M. Kelly-Borgognone, Nevada Highway Patrol,

NV, EOW: Thursday, February 28, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Police Officer Derek Owens, Cleveland Police Department,

OH, EOW: Saturday, March 1, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Special Agent Robert Patrick Flickinger, Chickasaw

Lighthorse Police Department, TR (Oklahoma), EOW: Friday,

March 7, 2008, Cause of Death: Automobile accident.

Sergeant Edward (Ned) Thompson, New York City Police

Department, NY, EOW: Sunday, March 9, 2008, Cause of Death:

9/11 related illness.

Police Officer James D. Fezatte, Millbrook Police

Department, AL, EOW: Saturday, March 29, 2008, Cause of

Death: Automobile accident.

Border Patrol Agent Jarod Dittman, United States Department

of Homeland Security--Customs and Border, US (California),

EOW: Sunday, March 30, 2008, Cause of Death: Automobile

accident.

Constable Joe Howard, Harlan County Constable's Office, KY,

EOW: Tuesday, April 1, 2008, Cause of Death: Heart attack.

Correction Officer Kenneth Duncan, New York City Department

of Correction, NY, EOW: Tuesday, April 22, 2008, Cause of

Death: Gunfire.

Trooper James Scott Burns, Texas Department of Public

Safety--Texas Highway Patrol, TX, EOW: Tuesday, April 29,

2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Deputy Sheriff Robert Griffin, Decatur County Sheriff's

Office, GA, EOW: Thursday, May 1, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Senior Investigator Laura J. Cleaves, Santa Barbara County

District Attorney's Office, CA, EOW: Thursday, May 1, 2008,

Cause of Death: Vehicular assault.

Deputy Sheriff William Howell Jr., Orangeburg County

Sheriff's Office, SC, EOW: Saturday, May 3, 2008, Cause of

Death: Gunfire.

Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski, Philadelphia Police

Department, PA, EOW: Saturday, May 3, 2008, Cause of Death:

Gunfire.

Special Agent Aaron Garcia, Union Pacific Railroad Police

Department, RR (California), EOW: Wednesday, May 7, 2008,

Cause of Death: Automobile accident.

Deputy Sheriff James Throne, Kern County Sheriff's

Department, CA, EOW: Friday, May 23, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Deputy Sheriff Michael Sean Thomas, Bibb County Sheriff's

Office, GA, EOW: Sunday, May 25, 2008, Cause of Death:

Motorcycle accident.

Sergeant Leslie (Les) Wilmott, Kiefer Police Department,

OK, EOW: Thursday, May 29, 2008, Cause of Death: Automobile

accident.

Lieutenant Michael Avilucea, New Mexico State Police, NM,

EOW: Friday, May 30, 2008, Cause of Death: Automobile

accident.

Police Officer Erik David Hite, Tucson Police Department,

AZ, EOW: Monday, June 2, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Police Officer Everett William Dennis, Carthage Police

Department, TX, EOW: Tuesday, June 3, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Transport Officer Virgil Lee Behrens, Marion County

Sheriff's Department, IA, EOW: Tuesday, June 3, 2008, Cause

of Death: Automobile accident.

Deputy Sheriff Anthony Shane Tate, Grundy County Sheriff's

Department, TN, EOW: Thursday, June 5, 2008, Cause of Death:

Gunfire.

Police Officer Todd Bahr, Fredericksburg Police Department,

VA, EOW: Friday, June 6, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Sergeant Barbara Jean Shumate, Texas Department of Criminal

Justice, TX, EOW: Friday, June 13, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Deputy Sheriff Steve Boehm, Onslow County Sheriff's

Department, NC, EOW: Saturday, June 14, 2008, Cause of Death:

Struck by vehicle.

Deputy Sheriff Jose Antonio (Tony) Diaz, Yolo County

Sheriff's Department, CA, EOW: Sunday, June 15, 2008, Cause

of Death: Gunfire.

Trooper David Shawn Blanton Jr., North Carolina Highway

Patrol, NC, EOW: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, Cause of Death:

Gunfire.

Correctional Officer Jose Rivera, United States Department

of Justice--Federal Bureau of Prisons, US (California), EOW:

Friday, June 20, 2008, Cause of Death: Stabbed.

Police Officer Nicholas Heine, Pueblo Police Department,

CO, EOW: Saturday, June 21, 2008, Cause of Death: Heart

attack.

Correctional Officer Donna Fitzgerald, Florida Department

of Corrections, FL, EOW: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, Cause of

Death: Stabbed.

Sergeant Richard Findley, Prince George's County Police

Department, MD, EOW: Friday, June 27, 2008, Cause of Death:

Vehicular assault.

Police Officer Gary Gryder, Houston Police Department, TX,

EOW: Sunday, June 29, 2008, Cause of Death: Vehicular

assault.

Police Officer Richard Francis, Chicago Police Department,

IL, EOW: Wednesday, July 2, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Police Officer Kenneth (Greg) Surles, Pell City Police

Department, AL, EOW: Friday, July 4, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Agent Osvaldo Perez-Leon, Puerto Rico Police Department,

PR, EOW: Tuesday, July 8, 2008, Cause of Death: Automobile

accident.

Police Officer Joshua T. Miktarian, Twinsburg Police

Department, OH, EOW: Sunday, July 13, 2008, Cause of Death:

Gunfire.

Police Officer Andrew Widman, Fort Myers Police Department,

FL, EOW: Friday, July 18, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Deputy Sheriff Anthony Forgione, Okaloosa County Sheriff's

Office, FL, EOW: Tuesday, July 22, 2008, Cause of Death:

Gunfire.

Police Officer Aldo Rossi, Port Dickinson Police

Department, NY, EOW: Sunday, July 27, 2008, Cause of Death:

Vehicular assault.

Trooper Shawn W. Snow, New York State Police, NY, EOW:

Sunday, August 3, 2008, Cause of Death: Electrocuted.

Detective Sandra Joyce Bullock, Bushnell Police Department,

FL, EOW: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, Cause of Death: Automobile

accident.

Deputy Sheriff Dennis Compton, Colleton County Sheriff's

Office, SC, EOW: Wednesday, August 6, 2008, Cause of Death:

Gunfire.

Officer Monte Ruby, CoxHealth Department of Public Safety,

MO, EOW: Wednesday, August 6, 2008, Cause of Death: Assault.

Agent Orlando Gonzalez-Ortiz, Puerto Rico Police

Department, PR, EOW: Thursday, August 7, 2008, Cause of

Death: Gunfire (Accidental).

Detective Michael Smith Phillips, Virginia Beach Police

Department, VA, EOW: Thursday, August 7, 2008, Cause of

Death: Gunfire.

Deputy Probation Officer Irene Beatrice Rios, Imperial

County Probation Department, CA, EOW: Wednesday, August 13,

2008, Cause of Death: Automobile accident.

Lieutenant Robert Curry, Gulfport Police Department, MS.

EOW: Thursday, August 14, 2008, Cause of Death: Motorcycle

accident.

Deputy Sheriff Martha Woods Shareef, Lafourche Parish

Sheriff's Department, LA, EOW: Wednesday, August 20, 2008,

Cause of Death: Vehicular assault.

Ordinance Officer Kathy Ann Cox, Gordon County Sheriff's

Office, GA, EOW: Thursday, August 21, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Police Officer Thomas Raji, Perth Amboy Police Department,

NJ, EOW: Friday, August 22, 2008, Cause of Death: Vehicular

assault.

Police Officer Melvin Dyer, Duxbury Police Department, MA,

EOW: Monday, August 25, 2008, Cause of Death: Struck by

vehicle.

Police Officer Timothy A. Haley, Columbus Division of

Police, OH, EOW: Tuesday, August 26, 2008, Cause of Death:

Duty related illness.

Trooper Evan F. Schneider, Montana Highway Patrol, MT, EOW:

Tuesday, August 26, 2008, Cause of Death: Automobile

accident.

Deputy Sheriff Anne Jackson, Skagit County Sheriff's

Office, WA, EOW: Tuesday, September 2, 2008, Cause of Death:

Gunfire.

Officer Christopher Kane, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office,

FL, EOW: Thursday, September 4, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Police Officer Isabel Nazario, Philadelphia Police

Department, PA, EOW: Friday, September 5, 2008, Cause of

Death: Vehicular assault.

Police Officer Kenneth Santucci, Belleville Police

Department, NJ, EOW: Saturday, September 6, 2008, Cause of

Death: Automobile accident.

Deputy Sheriff Marty M. Martin, Franklin County Sheriff's

Department, OH, EOW: Saturday, September 6, 2008, Cause of

Death: Automobile accident.

Sergeant Paul Starzyk, Martinez Police Department, CA, EOW:

Saturday, September 6, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Trooper Andrew Stocks, North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC,

EOW: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, Cause of Death: Automobile

accident.

Sergeant Dario Aponte, New Haven Police Department, CT,

EOW: Wednesday, September 10, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Police Officer Grant Jansen, St. Charles Police Department,

MO, EOW: Wednesday, September 10, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Police Officer III Spree Desha, Los Angeles Police

Department, CA, EOW: Friday, September 12, 2008, Cause of

Death: Train accident.

Sergeant Michael C. Weigand Jr., Latimore Township Police

Department, PA, EOW: Sunday, September 14, 2008, Cause of

Death: Motorcycle accident.

Detective Tommy Keen, Harris County Sheriff's Department,

TX, EOW: Monday, September 15, 2008, Cause of Death:

Accidental.

Deputy Sheriff Adam William Klutz, Caldwell County

Sheriff's Office, NC, EOW: Friday, September 19, 2008, Cause

of Death: Gunfire.

Officer Kristine Fairbanks, United States Department of

Agriculture--Forest Service Law Enforcement, US (Washington),

EOW: Saturday, September 20, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Sergeant Patrick McDonald, Philadelphia Police Department,

PA, EOW: Tuesday, September 23, 2008, Cause of Death:

Gunfire.

Police Officer Nathaniel Taylor Jr., Chicago Police

Department, IL, EOW: Sunday, September 28, 2008, Cause of

Death: Gunfire.

Trooper First Class Mickey C. Lippy, Maryland State Police,

MD, EOW: Sunday, September 28, 2008, cause of Death: Aircraft

accident.

Pilot Stephen H. Bunker, Maryland State Police, MD, EOW:

Sunday, September 28, 2008, Cause of Death: Aircraft

accident.

Sergeant Robert Douglas, Oklahoma City Police Department,

OK, EOW: Sunday, September 28, 2008, Cause of Death:

Motorcycle accident.

Correctional Officer Douglas Falconer, Arizona Department

of Corrections, AZ, EOW: Wednesday, October 1, 2008, Cause of

Death: Heart attack.

Correctional Officer Rodney Kelley, Alabama Department of

Corrections, AL, EOW: Friday, October 3, 2008, Cause of

Death: Automobile accident.

Police Officer Bradley Moody, Richmond Police Department,

CA, EOW: Tuesday, October 7, 2008, Cause of Death: Automobile

accident.

Deputy Sheriff David Gilstrap, Oconee County Sheriff's

Office, GA, EOW: Thursday, October 9, 2008, Cause of Death:

Struck by vehicle.

Game Warden George Harold Whatley Jr., Texas Parks and

Wildlife Department--Law Enforcement Division, TX, EOW:

Friday, October 10, 2008, Cause of Death: Heart attack.

Officer / Paramedic Bruce W. Harrolle, Arizona Department

of Public Safety, AZ, EOW: Monday, October 13, 2008, Cause of

Death: Aircraft accident.

Deputy Sheriff Christopher Yonkers, Barry County Sheriff's

Office, MI, EOW: Friday, October 17, 2008, Cause of Death:

Motorcycle accident.

Deputy Sheriff Sarah Irene Haylett-Jones, Monroe County

Sheriff's Office, IN, EOW: Sunday, October 19, 2008, Cause of

Death: Struck by vehicle.

Second Lieutenant Frank Stecco, Fairfax County Police

Department, VA, EOW: Tuesday, October 21, 2008, Cause of

Death: Drowned.

Police Officer David Tome, Northern York County Regional

Police Department, PA, EOW: Tuesday, October 21, 2008, Cause

of Death: Struck by vehicle.

Police Officer Richard Bremer, Frederick City Police

Department, MD, EOW: Thursday, October 23, 2008, Cause of

Death: Vehicle pursuit.

Deputy Sheriff Randy Hamson, Los Angeles County Sheriff's

Department, CA, EOW: Friday, October 24, 2008, Cause of

Death: Struck by vehicle.

Police Officer Shane Figueroa, Phoenix Police Department,

AZ, EOW: Saturday, October 25, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Sergeant Michael King, University City Police Department,

MO, EOW: Friday, October 31, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Police Officer Frank P. Russo, Schaumburg Police

Department, IL, EOW: Saturday, November 1, 2008, Cause of

Death: Heart attack.

Detective Joseph Airhart Jr., Chicago Police Department,

IL, EOW: Tuesday, November 4, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Police Officer Nathaniel Burnfield, South Strabane Township

Police Department, PA, EOW: Tuesday, November 4, 2008, Cause

of Death: Struck by vehicle.

Police Officer Charles Skinner, North Salt Lake Police

Department, UT, EOW: Friday, November 7, 2008, Cause of

Death: Vehicle pursuit.

Deputy Sheriff Lawrence Canfield, Sacramento County

Sheriff's Department, CA, EOW: Wednesday, November 12, 2008,

Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident.

Sergeant Monty Carmikle, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission,

AR, EOW: Sunday, November 16, 2008, Cause of Death: Aircraft

accident.

Sergeant Timothy Simpson, Philadelphia Police Department,

PA, EOW: Monday, November 17, 2008, Cause of Death: Vehicular

assault.

Special Agent Samuel Hicks, United States Department of

Justice--Federal Bureau of Investigation, US (Pennsylvania),

EOW: Wednesday, November 19, 2008, Cause of Death: Gunfire.

Police Officer Alex Del Rio, Hollywood Police Department,

FL, EOW: Saturday, November 22, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Deputy Sheriff Nick Pham, Monroe County Sheriff's Office,

FL, EOW: Wednesday, November 26, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Sheriff Brent Lee, Trinity County Sheriff's Department, TX,

EOW: Thursday, November 27, 2008, Cause of Death: Vehicle

pursuit.

Reserve Officer Curtis Jones, New Orleans Police

Department, LA, EOW: Saturday, November 29, 2008, Cause of

Death: Automobile accident.

Police Officer Robert Davis, San Antonio Police Department,

TX, EOW: Monday, December 1, 2008, Cause of Death: Struck by

vehicle.

Police Officer Timothy Abernethy, Houston Police

Department, TX, EOW: Sunday, December 7, 2008, Cause of

Death: Gunfire.

Deputy Sheriff Brian Denning, Sumner County Sheriff's

Department, TN, EOW: Monday, December 8, 2008, Cause of

Death: Automobile accident.

Senior Trooper William Hakim, Oregon State Police, OR, EOW:

Friday, December 12, 2008, Cause of Death: Bomb.

Captain Tom Tennant, Woodburn Police Department, OR, EOW:

Friday, December 12, 2008, Cause of Death: Bomb.

Officer Joseph Sanders, California Highway Patrol, CA, EOW:

Monday, December 15, 2008, Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle.

Police Officer Mark Simmons, Amarillo Police Department,

TX, EOW: Wednesday, December 17, 2008, Cause of Death:

Automobile accident.

Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Keith Carter, Evangeline Parish

Sheriff's Department, LA, EOW: Friday, December 19, 2008,

Cause of Death: Duty related illness.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, from February 3, 2009, to March 4, 2009, I missed Roll Call votes 47-96. Unfortunately, I underwent a surgical procedure and was in California recuperating. Had I been here, I would have voted the following:

Roll Call Vote 47: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 82, raising awareness and encouraging prevention of stalking by establishing January 2009 as National Stalking Awareness Month;

Roll Call Vote 48: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 103, supporting the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week;

Roll Call Vote 49: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 559, The Fair, Accurate, Secure, and Timely (FAST) Redress Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 50: No on the motion to concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 51: Yes on the motion to commit with instructions S. 352, the DTV Delay Act;

Roll Call Vote 52: No on passage of S. 352, the DTV Delay Act;

Roll Call Vote 53: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 738, the Death in Custody Reporting Act;

Roll Call Vote 54: Yes on the motion to instruct conferees on H. R. 1, Making Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year Ending 2009;

Roll Call Vote 55: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 114, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Girls and Women in Sports Day;

Roll Call Vote 56: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 60, Recognizing and commending University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford for winning the 2008 Heisman Trophy and for his academic and athletic accomplishments;

Roll Call Vote 57: No on the motion to table H. Res. 143, Raising a Question of the Privileges of the House;

Roll Call Vote 58: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 128, Honoring Miami University for its 200 years of commitment to extraordinary higher education;

Roll Call Vote 59: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 134, Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s visit to India and the positive influence that the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi had on Dr. King's work during the Civil Rights Movement;

Roll Call Vote 60: No on agreeing to H. Con. Res. 47, Providing for an adjournment or recess of the two Houses;

Roll Call Vote 61: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 154, Honoring John D. Dingell for holding the record as the longest serving member of the House of Representatives;

Roll Call Vote 62: No on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 448, the Elder Abuse Victims Act;

Roll Call Vote 63: No on the motion to agree to H. Res. 157, providing for the consideration of motions to suspend the rules, and for other purposes;

Roll Call Vote 64: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 117, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week;

Roll Call Vote 65: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 35, Honoring and praising the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 100th anniversary;

Roll Call Vote 66: No on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 168, providing for consideration of the conference report to H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 67: No on H. Res. 168, providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 68: No on the question of consideration of the conference report to H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 69: Yes on the motion to recommit the conference report to H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 70: No on agreeing to the conference report to H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 71: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules agree to H. Res. 139, Commemorating the life and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln on the bicentennial of his birth;

Roll Call Vote 72: No on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 911, the Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act;

Roll Call Vote 73: No on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 44, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act;

Roll Call Vote 74: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 601, the Box Elder Utah Land Conveyance Act;

Roll Call Vote 75: No on approving the journal;

Roll Call Vote 76: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and H.R. 80, the Captive Primate Safety Act;

Roll Call Vote 77: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 637, the South Orange County Recycled Water Enhancement Act;

Roll Call Vote 78: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 83, Recognizing the significance of Black History Month;

Roll Call Vote 79: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 234, the Colonel John H. Wilson, Jr. Post Office Building;

Roll Call Vote 80: Yes on approving the journal;

Roll Call Vote 81: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 47, Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day;

Roll Call Vote 82: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 180, Supporting the goals and ideals of the third annual America Saves Week;

Roll Call Vote 83: No on the consideration of H. Res. 184, providing for consideration of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations for 2009;

Roll Call Vote 84: Yes on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 184, providing for consideration of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations for 2009;

Roll Call Vote 85: Yes on H. Res. 184, providing for the consideration of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 86: No on passage of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations of 2009;

Roll Call Vote 87: No on the motion to table H. Res. 189, raising a question of the privileges of the House;

Roll Call Vote 88: No on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 190, providing for consideration of H.R. 1106 to prevent mortgage foreclosures and enhance mortgage credit availability;

Roll Call Vote 89: No on H. Res. 190, Providing for consideration of H.R. 1106 to prevent mortgage foreclosures and enhance mortgage credit availability;

Roll Call Vote 90: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 183, expressing condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of Continental Connection flight 3407;

Roll Call Vote 91: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 146, the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act;

Roll Call Vote 92: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 548, the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act;

Roll Call Vote 93: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 77, congratulating the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA for more than 100 years of service and leadership to the United States;

Roll Call Vote 94: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 201, recognizing Beverly Eckerts service to the nation and particularly to the survivors and families of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Roll Call Vote 95: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 195, recognizing and honoring the employees of the Department of Homeland Security on its sixth anniversary for their continuous efforts to keep the nation safe; and

Roll Call Vote 96: Yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 45, raising awareness and promoting education on the criminal justice system by establishing March as National Criminal Justice Month.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 180) supporting the goals and ideals of the third annual America Saves Week.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

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

I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 180, supporting the goals and ideals of the third annual America Saves Week, which runs from February 22 to March 1.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Frank for his assistance in bringing this important and timely resolution to the House floor.

I also want to express my sincere appreciation for all that my friend, Congresswoman Judy Biggert, has done over the years to help improve the financial literacy rates for all the individuals across the United States at all stages of life. In 2004, she and I co-founded and currently co-chair the Financial Economic Literacy Caucus. Without Congresswoman Biggert, I don't think we would have gotten as far as we have promoting financial literacy and, hopefully, making a measurable difference. I must say that we definitely have let the financial literacy genie out of the bottle.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank Congresswoman Biggert's staff, Nicole Austin and Zachary Cikanek and all they are doing to help Judy and me to attain our goal.

Financial literacy is one of the most important issues for most Americans, whether it involves saving enough money for their children's college education, saving for an unforeseen emergency, a house, maybe a car, or their retirement.

The personal savings rate has been low, reaching a 12-month average of 0.6 percent in 2007 before rebounding to a 12-month average of 1.7 percent in 2008. The 2007 Federal Reserve Board's Survey of Consumer Finances found that only 44 percent of American families reported that they did not save in 2007. Furthermore, the survey found that less than half of the population has the following: number 1, a savings account; number 2, a month of savings or liquid assets; and number 3, the Federal Reserve Board's survey also found that those folks residing in the United States don't have 6 to 12 months worth of emergency savings they might need for an incident such as unexpected unemployment, a medical crisis, rent or a mortgage payment adjustment enabling them to avoid foreclosure.

Research has found that there are savers and there are spenders in all income classes, and almost all have the ability to build wealth through contributions to a workplace retirement program, building home equity and other savings.

Older Americans are more likely to live within 200 percent of poverty than any other age group, and more than 60 percent of the current elderly population relies on Social Security for three-fourths of their annual income. What I find even more alarming is that the average savings of retirees remain at $50,000, and the current financial crisis is draining those funds.

To shed light on all these shortcomings, as well as provide ways to address them, America Saves, managed by the Consumer Federation of America, was established 8 years ago as an annual nationwide campaign that encourages consumers, especially lower income households, to enroll as American savers and establish a personal savings goal in an effort to build personal wealth and to enhance financial security. America Saves now has 53 local, State and national campaigns working with over 500 mainstream financial institutions like banks, which provide no-fee or low-fee or low-opening-balance savings accounts that allow small savers to achieve success.

Government and non-government entities at the local, State and national levels organize America Saves campaigns to encourage individuals to open savings accounts, to participate in workplace retirement programs, and devise a savings plan. As a result of America Saves, over 1,000 local, State and national organizations have motivated more than 145,000 people to enroll as American savers.

The primary focus of this year's America Saves Week is establishing an automatic and habitual savings, a theme reflected in the work of the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus, Federal agencies, non-profits, community-based groups, private sector organizations and the Employee Benefit Research Institutes and its America Savings Educational Council's Choose to Save Campaign. I personally have a 5 percent deduction made from my payroll check and have it placed into my savings account in the Federal Thrift Savings Program.

I want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones to eliminate predatory lending, increase the Nation's savings rate, and to improve the overall economic situation of all those residing in the United States. I respected her personally, and want all those listening today, and for all those who will read today's Congressional Record far into the future, to know how much we respected her, that we miss her and honor her today for her relentless dedication to protecting consumers at a very difficult time. Through her efforts and hopefully, now those of the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus, Congresswoman Biggert and I co-founded and now co- chair, we hope to protect our constituents and encourage savings.

I am very pleased that Federal agencies, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities and the people of the United States are observing the third annual America Saves Week with a goal of increasing the savings rates for individuals of all ages and of all walks of life.

I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this important resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am quite surprised to hear the thoughts and ideas of my friend from Texas, and I am of the total opposite belief.

I say that saving at this time is the right thing for America, and that is why we saw such an increase in savings in 2008, because the American public has lost confidence, has lost hope in what happened to the stock market in 2008. So I say that Americans are correct in saving their money in ways that they know how and that they follow the ideas that this organization that Mrs. Biggert and I have been championing, because it is the right thing to do. I urge all Members of this Congress to vote in favor of this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I thank my colleague.

I have enjoyed working with my good friend, Congressman Hinojosa. We in the Texas delegation, I know, Mr. Hinojosa knows, we work more closely together, I think, than almost any delegation in the country and take a great deal of pride in being Texans.

I thank my colleague for his earnest and sincere resolution which he presents to the Congress today in an effort to encourage individual Americans to increase their savings. My good friend Judy Biggert has coauthored this, and it is a noble and worthwhile resolution.

However, as we, the Congress, adopt this resolution that designates this week as America Saves Week, I think it's important to point out, Mr. Speaker, the incredible and dramatic contrast between the goal we are setting here today for individual Americans and the complete opposite direction that the leadership of this Congress and the President pointed out last night.

I am reminded that Will Rogers often said he didn't tell jokes; he just reported on what Congress did. Today, Congress is asking the American people to save money; yet this new liberal majority in Congress has spent more money in less time than has any Congress in history. Today is the 20th legislative day we've been in session, and counting the $400 billion appropriations bill on the floor today, we have already spent about $1.3 trillion--all of it debt. The United States Congress is paying our mortgage with a credit card; yet we're passing a resolution to encourage America to save money. This is absurd.

We have today the new governing majority in Congress, the new President. This new direction he has taken us in is off a financial cliff. Yet we're telling Americans to save more money? Every nickel we spend today this Congress is putting on our children's credit card. We are literally, Mr. Speaker, paying America's mortgage with a credit card. It is unaffordable and unsustainable. Last night, the President laid out all of the new spending programs piled on top of this. It really does remind me of what Will Rogers said, that he didn't tell jokes; he just reported on what Congress did. This is a wonderful goal for not only individual Americans but for the United States Congress.

How about let us really have the United States Congress follow some of the guidelines in this resolution. Let us make sure that we in Congress are not spending more than we bring in, as we tell individual Americans to do. Let us make sure that we in Congress have enough of a cushion, as the resolution tells individual Americans, so that we can be ready and that we want individual Americans to be ready ``for an incident such as an unexpected crisis.''

Are we ready for an earthquake in California, America? Are we ready for another hurricane? What about a terrorist attack? What financial cushion does America have to pay for the cost of another 9/11 when this Congress has driven America deeper into debt than any Congress in the history of the United States? Never before have so few spent so much money in so little time with so little regard for the financial security of future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I think it's important to remember that Americans have always taken pride in the fact that we, current generations, have always sacrificed today so that our children would live a better life.

It is important, I think, for the Congress, for this liberal majority and for this new President to take my good friend Mr. Hinojosa's and Mrs. Biggert's resolution to heart. Let us quit spending money we don't have. Let this Congress quit living beyond its means, and let it truly secure the financial safety and security of future generations by cutting spending and cutting taxes to get this economy back on track. Walk away from these massive new expansions of entitlements. We've already spent $1.3 trillion in the first 20 days. We've almost doubled the annual budget of the United States in one stroke.

Mr. Hinojosa, Mrs. Biggert, thank you for bringing this resolution to Congress. Let us make sure that Congress saves.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 47) supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues and stand in full support of the consideration of House Resolution 47, which calls for Congress to recognize the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day, which is commemorated on May 15th of each year during what is referred to as National Police Week. House Resolution 47 was introduced by our colleague Representative Ted Poe of Texas on January 9, 2009, and was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on February 11th, 2009, by a voice vote.

The measure has the support and cosponsorship of nearly 70 Members of Congress and is designed to acknowledge the work and commitment of more than 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving throughout our great nation. Daily, these selfless men and women place their lives on the line, confronting great risk and challenges in their service to our communities and our fellow citizens, which is why it is so befitting for us to consider the measure at hand, House Resolution 47, supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Over the course of 2008, our country lost nearly 180 law enforcement officers in the line of duty. In remembrance of these fallen heroes, today we in the House of Representatives take a moment to express our gratitude for the service of these courageous Americans by considering House Resolution 47.

By supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day, we are sending a strong message to our country's law enforcement community and their families that we recognize the sacrifices they have made in the name of safety and security for all of our cities, townships and localities.

I would like to specifically mention and thank those officers that serve throughout Bristol, Suffolk, Plymouth and Norfolk Counties in my own congressional district for their great work.

Commemorating Peace Officers Memorial Day dates back to 1962, when then President Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Since that time, Congress has routinely expressed our support for the goals and ideals of this worthy cause.

I would like to again thank our colleague from Texas, Mr. Poe, for reintroducing this year's measure honoring the work of our Nation's police officers, many of whom I might add will now be able to stay on the job because of the recent enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Mr. Speaker, in the coming months, Peace Officers Memorial Day will be celebrated across our great land with various events, memorials and programs, all designed to highlight the work of these great Americans. In closing, let us too join in the commemoration of our country's law enforcement officers by agreeing to pass House Resolution 47.

I reserve the balance of my time.

We continue to reserve. We have no further speakers.

Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues, in memory of Officers Chestnut and Gibson and others that have been named by my friend from Texas, to join me and Mr. Poe of Texas in supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day by voting in favor of House Resolution 47.

I yield back the balance of my time.