Arlen Specter: “I seek recognition today to join Senator Biden in introducing the Public Safety Officers Educational Assistance Act of…”

“I seek recognition today to join Senator Biden in introducing the Public Safety Officers Educational Assistance Act of 1998. The purpose of this bill is to build on legislation we passed last Congress and provide education benefits to the families of slain or disabled State and local public safety officers. Last year, Congress passed the Federal Law Enforcement Dependents Assistance Act. This law provides for the education of the spouse and dependent children of Federal law enforcement officers who die or are totally disabled in the line of duty. I was moved to introduce last year's legislation after meeting with the widow of Mr. Bill Degan, the U.S. marshal who was killed in the tragic incident at Ruby Ridge. Mrs. Karen Degan, his widow, brought to my attention the fact that the families of slain Federal law enforcement officers were not eligible to receive the educational benefits which the Government gives to the families of slain soldiers in our armed services. My legislation eliminated this disparity. The program we created last year, however, is only available to the children of Federal law enforcement officers. Yet the idea behind the law applies equally to all public safety officers, Federal, State, or local.”