National Law Enforcement Museum Exhibits Act

Mr. Speaker, this is sort of like ice breaking up: right on the pin of the point, you actually win. And I thank the gentleman for waiting for me.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1417 is a simple, straightforward bill that will treat the National Law Enforcement Museum as if it were a Federal museum for purposes of obtaining, transferring, and displaying certain classes of firearms.

The National Law Enforcement Museum is scheduled to open this fall. It was authorized by an act of Congress and is being built on Federal property. The museum is dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement by providing visitors a ``walk in the shoes'' experience. The museum is working to expand and enrich the relationship shared by law enforcement and the community through the museum's educational journeys, immersive exhibitions, and insightful programs.

The National Law Enforcement Museum was created to provide visitors with an opportunity to ``walk in the shoes'' of law enforcement, giving them a behind-the-scenes look and allowing them to gain historical perspective on how law enforcement has helped shape our society and culture. Through fun, immersive, and educational exhibits such as Take the Case, 911 Emergency Ops, and the Training Simulator, visitors will gain a sense of what it takes to be a law enforcement professional.

These interactive experiences will give visitors a firsthand look into almost every facet of law enforcement, while they learn about the day-to-day complexities of safeguarding our communities. Visitors will also be able to experience the personal side of law enforcement through real-life stories of the men and women behind the badge, told throughout the museum, and gain a greater appreciation for those who have in fact made the ultimate sacrifice to keep peace within our communities, especially in the great Hall of Remembrance: law enforcement officers.

Mr. Speaker, may I say that a lot of times in the modern day media I hear the term ``cop,'' I hear that something is wrong. People respect our law enforcement officers and what they face every day, especially with the national media and the pressures they have with them constantly exposing them as the bad guys. I really believe if we didn't have them, we would really be in trouble.

This is a simple bill that takes care of a problem, and I hope we can pass it unanimously.

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

H.R. 1417 will allow the National Law Enforcement Museum to display firearms associated with the history of law enforcement in the United States. This bill was developed in cooperation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to ensure that the museum is authorized to display these items without jeopardizing public safety.

The National Law Enforcement Enforcement Museum was authorized by Congress in 2000, and is scheduled to open in Washington, D.C., later this year.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the brave men and women in uniform who keep us safe every day by supporting this bill, and I share Congressman Young's concern about making sure that we are honoring our fellow law enforcement officers.

It was just this past year that we lost several law enforcement officers from central Florida, including in my district. On Sunday, I found myself going to the Law Enforcement Memorial to plant a rose next to the picture of one of our fallen officers, Lieutenant Clayton, whom we lost this past year. She was also a dear friend of Congresswoman Demings.

In addition, we lost Sergeant Howard and Officer Baxter of the Kissimmee Police Department, who were killed in the line of duty this past year. We also honor them.

These are opportunities for us to remember that these officers put their lives on the line every day to make sure that we are safe. Sergeant Howard, Officer Baxter, and Lieutenant Clayton faced dangers, and we need to memorialize them.

We also lost Deputy Norman Lewis from Orange County, as well, who served under Sheriff Jerry Demings, husband of Congresswoman Demings.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, just to close, I would like to take a moment to remember Sergeant Howard, Officer Baxter, Lieutenant Clayton, and Deputy Lewis, who lost their lives this past year protecting our communities in Orlando and Kissimmee. I also appreciate Mr. Young from Alaska for putting forth this bill and the chairman for managing the bill today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1417) to amend the National Law Enforcement Museum Act to allow the Museum to acquire, receive, possess, collect, ship, transport, import, and display firearms, and for other purposes.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the dean of Congress, if he has been able to catch his breath, having cut this as close as is possible.

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

I am pleased to stand and support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to adopt it.

The National Law Enforcement Museum will showcase the great work that is done by those who are in the law enforcement profession, but it is also going to have interactive exhibits designed to give visitors a firsthand experience of the life of law enforcement officers.

It seems strange that we have to do this by actual legislation, but this is an amendment to the National Law Enforcement Museum Act that simply will allow the museum to acquire, ship, import, and display firearms. If we don't do this, obviously, that doesn't take place, which detracts from the entire experience of the museum in the first place.

I commend Mr. Young for introducing this piece of legislation. It seems like it is strange that we have to go to these lengths to do something so logical, but it is the right thing to do, and I appreciate his efforts to do that.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1417 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.