Jim Ramstad: “I rise today on National Peace Officers Memorial day to pay tribute to the 14,064 peace officers who have given their…”

“I rise today on National Peace Officers Memorial day to pay tribute to the 14,064 peace officers who have given their lives to protect our communities. The names of these 14,064 brave men and women are permanently etched on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, located just a few blocks from here. This year, Mr. Speaker, 161 new names were added in a candlelight vigil representing police offices who were killed during 1995, and anyone who attended the ceremony today saw the families of these 161 police officers had to be profoundly moved, just as they were by the President's heartfelt remarks and by the beautiful singing of Mariah Carey. Mr. Speaker, my home State of Minnesota has suffered the loss of three police officers who have died on duty since July of 1995: Paul Moen, a Minneapolis police officer died during a struggle; Brian Klinefelter, a St. Joseph, Minnesota police officer was killed just 3 months ago by a liquor store robber; and less than 2 weeks ago we lost Rice County Deputy John Liebenstein when his car was rammed by the teenaged driver of a stolen car. Tragedies like these, Mr. Speaker, remind me of cop friends I have lost over the years: Sergeant J.W. Anderson of the Wayzata Police Department; Officer Jerry Haaf of the Minneapolis Police Department.”