T. Gorton: “Edward Byrne was a young New York City policeman killed in action by drug lords in the 1980's. His heroism inspired the…”

“Edward Byrne was a young New York City policeman killed in action by drug lords in the 1980's. His heroism inspired the greatest crime fighting tool against drug traffickers that State and local law enforcement have ever known: the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program. Since the program was created in 1988, the Byrne granters have provided State and local law enforcement agencies across the country a fighting chance against well-organized, sophisticated, and violent illegal drug operation rings. You would think that in his tough talk on crime, the President would have remembered this heroic officer whose name has done more to take dope pushers off our streets than has any other. But the President has proposed that we eliminate funding for the Byrne grants. At a time when our families and neighborhoods need effective law enforcement more than ever, we can't afford to forget this successful program.”