Andrea Joy Campbell: “today I am joined with my colleagues in submitting this resolution to keep alive in the memory of all Americans, the…”

“today I am joined with my colleagues in submitting this resolution to keep alive in the memory of all Americans, the sacrifice and commitment of those men and women who lost their lives while serving as law enforcement officers. Specifically, this resolution would designate May 15, 1999, as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Currently, more than 700,000 men and women who serve this nation as our guardians of law and order do so at a great risk. Every year, about 1 in 9 officers is assaulted, 1 in 25 officers is injured, and 1 in 4,400 officers is killed in the line of duty. There are few communities in this country that have not been impacted by the senseless death of a police officer. In 1998, over 158 federal, state and local law enforcement officers have given their lives in the line of duty and nearly 15,000 men and women have made that supreme sacrifice. And, our Capitol community as well as the nation were shocked and saddened last year by the tragic and senseless shooting of Capitol Police Officer Jacob Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson.”