SENATE RESOLUTION 320--RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCE WEEK; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 151
(Senate - September 19, 2019)
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[Page S5608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 320--RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS
OF NATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCE WEEK
Mr. CRAPO (for himself, Mr. Risch, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 320
Whereas the Senate is committed to the use of forensic
science in the investigation of crimes, the prosecution and
conviction of the correct perpetrators of crimes, and the
exoneration of innocent individuals falsely accused of crimes
in the United States;
Whereas forensic science service providers address critical
criminal and civil questions in the United States, including
by providing scientific conclusions relating to forensic
evidence;
Whereas forensic science service providers partner with--
(1) Federal agencies to build and maintain criminal
databases relating to latent prints, DNA, and other
information relevant to criminal cases; and
(2) Federal, State, and local agencies to ensure public
safety;
Whereas forensic science service providers serve a vital
role in the criminal justice system by providing scientific
information to investigators and officers of the court; and
Whereas the third week in September is recognized as
``National Forensic Science Week'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That--
(1) it is the sense of the Senate that National Forensic
Science Week provides a special opportunity for--
(A) forensic service providers to--
(i) recognize the contributions of forensic scientists in
the laboratories in which those individuals work;
(ii) organize community events to encourage a better
understanding of forensic science;
(iii) provide tours to Federal, State, and local
policymakers to assist those individuals in gaining better
insight into the current capabilities of forensic service
providers and future demands that forensic service providers
will face; and
(iv) contact local media outlets and invite those groups to
cover events hosted during National Forensic Science Week;
(B) local policymakers to--
(i) recognize, through formal commendation or resolution,
the contributions of local forensic science laboratories to
the communities of those policymakers;
(ii) formally declare the third week of September to be
``Forensic Science Week'' by proclamation;
(iii) visit local forensic science laboratories to gain an
understanding of the capabilities and needs of those
laboratories; and
(iv) discuss the operational needs of State and local
forensic science laboratories;
(C) members of communities in the United States, including
members of the media, to--
(i) attend community events sponsored by local forensic
science laboratories;
(ii) take tours of local forensic science laboratories; and
(iii) ask local forensic science laboratories about the
operational and legislative needs of those laboratories;
(D) members of the media to highlight local news stories
that focus on the work of local forensic science laboratories
in the communities that those laboratories serve; and
(E) public safety officers, law enforcement officers, and
officers of the court to--
(i) attend community events sponsored by local forensic
science laboratories;
(ii) take tours of local forensic science laboratories;
(iii) discuss the operational needs of State and local
forensic science laboratories; and
(iv) engage local forensic science laboratories regarding
working together more effectively; and
(2) the Senate supports the goals and ideals of National
Forensic Science Week.
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