Political Quotes

“We used to argue at one time on this floor whether or not to help communities to support the police department. We argued here on this floor as to whether this was a Federal issue, whether the Federal Government had any responsibility in terms of firefighters--I remember the debates--and police officers, and we made a decision on a bipartisan basis that it was a responsibility because we needed to protect the homeland. So Democrats and Republicans supported the protection in trying to help communities fight crime and put out fires. We made that on a bipartisan basis, and it is a shame that we do not even consider the COPS program as part of homeland security because, if you don't have it here, you have it nowhere. This is a security issue. It is a priority. How many officers in the past 2 months have been shot down doing their job in this country? Double last year. And we know that small communities and large communities have taken advantage of the COPS program. This is important to our communities. I was a mayor of the third largest city in New Jersey. I know what those police officers on the street in the communities mean to protecting folks in my town where I still live. I know the results. Since 1992, I know those results inside and out. You heard Mr. Weiner, who showed us the charts about what it has meant right across the United States of America. We're making a big mistake here.…”