Post by bot on Mar 25, 2014 21:10:37 GMT -5
Whip Hoyer Testimony on Bipartisan Bill to Extend Authorization for Law Enforcement Officers Museum
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) testified today before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation on H.R. 4120, legislation he cosponsored with Congressman Frank Wolf (VA), which would allow construction to proceed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Museum by extending authorization for the non-profit National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). Below is a link to the video and a copy of his remarks as prepared for delivery:
Click here to watch the video.
“Mr. Chairman, let me begin by thanking the Committee for this opportunity to testify about H.R. 4120.
“I am proud to be working across the aisle with my friend, Rep. Frank Wolf, to introduce this legislation, which has bipartisan support.
“Supporting the building of the National Law Enforcement Museum in Judiciary Square is an important way Congress keeps faith with the men and women who protect our communities in law enforcement. The brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our neighborhoods and communities safe deserve to be honored and remembered in our nation’s capital.
“That’s why, in 2000, Congress took an important step, passing the National Law Enforcement Museum Act to authorize the construction of a museum to honor and tell the stories of the nearly 20,000 local, state, and federal officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
“Since the first recorded law enforcement death in 1791, those who put their lives on the line for our communities have demonstrated the meaning of service and sacrifice. Today, 20,000 of our fallen officers are recognized and remembered at the National Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony here in Washington each May.
“But this is not enough, which is why we passed a law in 2000 authorizing the building of a museum and extended that authorization in 2010, so the many visitors here can learn about their stories.
“The legislation Rep. Wolf and I have introduced this Congress would extend the authorization through 2016 so that it may be completed.
“After many years of hard work to get the necessary building permits, receive design approvals, and secure outside funding, the National Law Enforcement Officers Museum Fund is ready to begin construction.
“I want to recognize and thank Craig Floyd, Chairman and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, who will be speaking on the next panel for his efforts and his testimony here today, which will provide more information about the fund’s plans and readiness for construction.
“Craig has been the driving force behind this effort to build the museum as a lasting memorial and a place of learning to benefit generations to come and highlight the service of our men and women in blue. He was a legislative assistant to former Rep. Mario Biaggi and is a retired NYPD officer.
“I thank Craig for all he has been doing to ensure that the motto ‘not how they died, but how they lived’ is truly reflected in this museum.
“I ask the subcommittee to support H.R. 4120 and join in sending a strong message to America’s law enforcement officers that the sacrifices of their fallen comrades will never be forgotten. Thank you.”
Visit www.democraticwhip.gov/ for more press, floor and member resources.
