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[Pages S2775-S2776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXECUTIVE SESSION
______
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will
proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the following
nomination, which the clerk will report.
The legislative clerk read the nomination of Michael J. Truncale, of
Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of
Texas.
[[Page S2776]]
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.
National Police Week
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, this week marks National Police Week,
which is dedicated to the brave men and women of law enforcement.
Police officers prioritize the safety of their neighbors and fellow
citizens above their own.
This week gives us an opportunity to reflect on the dedication and
perseverance of law enforcement officers across the country. We should
also honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our
communities. It is because of the commitment and bravery of police
officers, firefighters, first responders, and other public safety
officers that we can feel safe in our homes, places of work, and our
communities.
I am particularly grateful for the men and women in blue who serve my
fellow Iowans.
I would also like to thank the officers who serve in Washington, DC.
The Capitol Police work diligently every day to ensure that those of us
who work here and everyone who visits this Capitol are safe. Each
member of the Capitol Police works selflessly to protect us, and their
dedication to service doesn't go unnoticed.
National Police Week serves as a reminder to thank specific members
of law enforcement whom we know and care about; however, we can't
forget to honor those who sacrificed their lives to protect ours. These
individuals are heroes.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, a
total of 1,582 officers died in the line of duty during the past 10
years. That is an average of one death every 55 hours.
In 2018, 158 officers were killed in the line of duty.
At the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the names of some
200 Iowans are inscribed amongst those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Each name represents a unique individual who answered the call of duty.
We are indebted to each and every one of those people.
To that end, I am pleased that the Senate Judiciary Committee
recently approved three bills, two of which I cosponsored and one that
I introduced.
My bill, the Protecting America's First Responder's Act, seeks to fix
issues in the Federal Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program.
Officers whose lives have been transformed by injury in the line of
duty deserve our support, and that bill lends to their support and
makes sure that it is actually accomplished. Unfortunately, the Federal
program that was created to assist them has fallen short in responding
to claims efficiently. This important bill improves this program to
ensure that disabled or fallen officers receive the benefits they
deserve.
My bill enjoys the wide support of multiple groups, including the
Fraternal Order of Police, Federal Law Enforcement Officers
Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association, National Association of
Police Organizations, Peace Officers Research Association of
California, Wounded Blue, How2LoveOurCops, Billings Montana Police
Department, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Association of
School Resource Officers, and the Violently Injured Police Officers
Organization.
I look forward to passing this bill into law, and I thank all of the
bill's cosponsors for helping to move this bill forward.
In addition to the Protecting America's First Responder's Act, we
also moved two other bills out of the Judiciary Committee.
The first is the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant
Program reauthorization. This bill allows State and local law
enforcement officers to purchase lifesaving bulletproof vests for those
officers working in the field. I am happy to cosponsor this legislation
and support my colleague Senator Leahy's tireless efforts to improve
the availability of bulletproof vests to our police.
The other bill that passed out of committee last week is the
Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis Act. Mental illness and
suicide among police officers continue to grow. Senator Hawley
introduced this bill, and I am proud to cosponsor it with him because
it addresses a critical issue that far too many officers face. This
bill seeks to provide necessary resources to law enforcement on mental
health and suicide prevention.
I urge my colleagues to support all three of these bills. Passing
them into law is one way to say thank you to the brave men and women
who serve us so selflessly.
I would like to conclude my remarks by once again thanking all
members of law enforcement for their dedication and sacrifice.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Recognition of the Majority Leader
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized.
____________________