SENATE RESOLUTION 722--RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCE WEEK; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 166
(Senate - September 24, 2020)
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[Page S5877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 722--RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS
OF NATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCE WEEK
Mr. CRAPO (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Risch, Mr.
Tillis, and Mr. Grassley) submitted the following resolution; which was
considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 722
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
questions in civil and criminal investigations and trials 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 fourth week in September 2020 is recognized as
``National Forensic Science Week'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Forensic
Science Week; and
(2) recognizes that National Forensic Science Week provides
a special opportunity for--
(A) forensic science service providers to--
(i) acknowledge 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 science
service providers and the future demands that forensic
science 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 fourth week of September 2020 to
be ``National 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) individuals 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 with local forensic science laboratories about
working together more effectively.
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