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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 117) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 117.

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

H. Con. Res. 117 would authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on May 15, 2012. I'm pleased to be a sponsor of this important resolution.

In 1962, May 15 was designated by President Kennedy as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as Police Week. The memorial service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of just 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Today, National Police Week draws tens of thousands of law enforcement officials and their supporters from around the world who travel to the Nation's Capital to participate in events that honor our fallen officers.

The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, which is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, is one in a series of events which includes the candlelight vigil and seminars. These important events help us to honor and remember the sacrifice of those members of law enforcement around our Nation who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Back home in my district, we recently felt the pain of losing a respected member of the law enforcement community, Deputy Robert Paris. He was slain in the line of duty just a few weeks ago. He was the third sworn officer to be killed while serving with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department. He was known in the community to volunteer for the dangerous work and had requested an assignment in the Civil Division.

When any community loses an officer, it is a tragedy, both for the family and for those whose lives benefited from their service.

Deputy Paris is survived by his parents, Robert, Sr. and Jane; sister, Krista; brother, Eric; and two children.

By passing this legislation, we will be honoring Deputy Paris and all of those who came before him. I urge my colleagues to support passage of this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, these important events help us to honor and remember the sacrifice of the members of law enforcement around our Nation that have made this ultimate sacrifice.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

House Concurrent Resolution 117 authorizes use of the Capitol Grounds for the 31st Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on May 15 on the West Front of the Capitol, a solemn and respectful public event in our Nation's Capital honoring our heroic law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2011.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, last year, 173 brave men and women were killed in the line of duty. Unfortunately, however, the number of officers killed in the line of duty increased 13 percent from 2010, with this year marking the first time in 14 years where more officers died from firearms-related incidents than from traffic-related incidents. Over 19,000 law enforcement officers have been killed while on duty since the first law enforcement death was recorded in 1791.

The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service is a fitting tribute to the 900,000 current law enforcement officers and all Federal, State, and local peace officers who give their lives in the daily work of protecting our families, our homes, and our workplaces. We honor these officers and their families on the Capitol Grounds for both their service and the ultimate sacrifice that some pay to maintain peace in communities across America.

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 have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, today, May 7th, I missed the three rollcall votes of the day. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yea,'' H. Con. Res. 105--Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha; ``yea,'' H. Con. Res. 117--Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service; ``yea,'' H. Con. Res. 118--Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Personal Explanation

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, May 07, 2012 I had obligations that necessitated my attention in Sydney, Illinois, in my district and missed suspension votes on H. Con. Res. 105 Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall to celebrate King Kamehameha, H. Con. Res. 117 Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for National Peace Officers Memorial Service, H. Con. Res. 118 Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the DC Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on the above stated resolutions.

Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed en bloc to the consideration of some concurrent resolutions: Resolutions numbered H. Con. Res. 105, H. Con. Res. 106, H. Con. Res. 117, and H. Con. Res. 118.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolutions be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record.