Floor Statement
Congressman Dan Lipinski
July 25, 2007
Introduction of Police Memorial Amendment

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment which would provide $1 million in funding for the Law Enforcement Tribute Act Program. This program provides one-time grants to help State and local governments complete permanent tributes that honor law enforcement and public safety officers who have been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.

There are currently 17,917 names engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, including 928 from my home State of Illinois. But many communities also want to honor their law enforcement heroes with local memorials or permanent tributes. The Law Enforcement Tribute Act Program provides support to States and localities to help them do this. Without this support, many communities would not be financially able to provide these worthy tributes.

The Law Enforcement Tribute Act Program was authorized in fiscal year 2002 at $3 million per year, but no funding has been appropriated since 2003.

Last year, this Chamber approved a similar amendment by voice vote when I offered it with Representatives Adam Schiff and Tom Davis. Unfortunately, that amendment, like the appropriations bill it was included in, never became law. Today, we have an opportunity to once again approve funding that will help communities honor all of those local heroes who have given so much to protect us.

This amendment has the strong support of law enforcement groups all over the country, including the National Association of Police Organizations.

Mr. Chairman, law enforcement and public safety officers dedicate their career and their lives to protecting us. Tributes provide us with a constant reminder of the sacrifices that they have made. The least we can do is help local communities honor these brave men and women.

I urge my colleagues today to support this amendment.