Thomas Manton: “I rise today to join my friend, Mr. Rangel, in support of an amendment to authorize the extension of the Edward Byrne…”

“I rise today to join my friend, Mr. Rangel, in support of an amendment to authorize the extension of the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program. This grant program is an essential part of our fight against drug abuse, drug trafficking, and drug-related violent crime. The Byrne Program was named for Eddie Byrne, a 22-year-old rookie New York City police officer, who was brutally killed in 1988 while on duty in the 103d precinct in Queens. Eddie Byrne was one of several officers assigned to around-the-clock protection of the home of a witness in a major drug trafficking trial. The young officer's murder was ordered by a drug kingpin from his Riker's Island cell, as a message to those citizens who are brave enough to stand up for their rights against drug dealers. Failing to reauthorize this vitally important program would serve a crippling blow to our efforts to fight drug abuse and drug related crime.”