Sam Gibbons: “I rise in proud support today of this important bill, a bill introduced by my friend and colleague the gentleman from…”

“I rise in proud support today of this important bill, a bill introduced by my friend and colleague the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad), along with the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak), a bill which will honor and recognize those peace officers slain in the line of duty, as well as all peace officers who risk their own personal safety every day to protect the citizens of the United States. There are approximately 740,000 sworn law enforcement officers currently serving in the United States. Every day these officers courageously serve and protect the safety and welfare of all Americans. They are motivated by their own personal sense of good will and responsibility and not by a desire for praise, recognition, or glory. Since the first recorded police death in 1794, there have been more than 15,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the United States. In the past 10 years alone, over 1,500 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty. Madam Speaker, that is an average of one death every other day.”