Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1299, supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Every year the President issues a proclamation naming May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Of course, in the days leading up to May 15, thousands of peace officers and their families come to Washington, D.C. They come here to remember their fellow officers and their loved ones who have given their lives, all in the line of duty. They participate in conferences and memorial services. They honor the memories of those who worked so hard to protect our communities and, in the end, made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives for the rest of us. Americans have been protected by peace officers for 217 years, ever since the early settlers in Boston, Massachusetts. They established a program called Night Watch to safeguard those Bostonians. Not a day goes by that law enforcement officers do not face danger in their mission to keep us safe from crime, acts of violence, and now terrorism. On May 17, 1792, New York City's Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith became the first recorded peace officer to be killed in the line of duty. Mr. Speaker, since that time, 18,600 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty. Let me repeat: 18,600 peace officers in the United States have been killed in the line of duty.…”