LAW ENFORCEMENT CONGRESSIONAL BADGE OF BRAVERY ACT OF 2008
July 22, 2008
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia: Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise in strong support of S. 2565, the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge Bravery Act of 2008.
This excellent measure establishes a formal process by which Congress will be able to recognize acts of bravery of all of our Nation's law enforcement officers who become injured in the course of their duties.
Of the more than 70 Federal law enforcement agencies, only two have an awards programs to recognize their officers. Such scant recognition for the sacrifices that these officers make is simply unacceptable.
This legislation builds on legislation the House passed in April, H.R. 4056, authored by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Ellsworth), to accord Congressional recognition for the dangers Federal law enforcement officers face for our safety each day. H.R. 4056 would have established a meaningful and long-overdue system to honor deserving officers.
S. 2565 takes a somewhat different approach. It extends recognition for State and local law enforcement officers, as well as Federal officers, injured in the line of duty. A Member of Congress or the Attorney General would be authorized to present, on behalf of Congress, a Congressional Badge of Bravery not only to Federal officers but also to any State or local officers cited by the Attorney General based upon the recommendation of a board established by this measure.
Mr. Speaker, the men and women in law enforcement, like many hardworking public servants, must work long and often irregular hours unlike other public servants. However, law enforcement officers undertake their responsibilities with the full knowledge that they are at risk of severe injury or worse, and it is fitting that we honor these officers for whom the risk becomes the reality. S. 2565 will now accord these brave men and women formal Congressional recognition, an honor that is so much deserved.
I want to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Ellsworth) and the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Biden) for their leadership in this important legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.