WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 
For the Week of 29 June 2001 

The staff of the National Legislative Office offers its condolences to the family of Brother Adrian Bost, South Carolina State Lodge Executive Director and State Legislative Contact for the Grassroots Action Network, who died in his sleep on 2 July. Adrian was a committed advocate for South Carolina's law enforcement officers on the local, State and Federal level, and he will be truly missed.

I. THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS:

The House and Senate were both in session this week. Both chambers will be out of session next week in observation of the 4th of July holiday, so there will be no legislative report until their return the week of 9 July. The House adjourned June 28th for the July 4th recess. Prior to adjournment, the House debated and passed H.R. 2299, the Transportation appropriations bill and the Energy and Water appropriations bill (HR 2311) by a vote of 405 to 15. Debate on the Agriculture appropriations bill (HR 2330) is scheduled to continue July 11th.

On Friday, June 29th, the Senate passed the Patients Bill of Rights (S 1052) by a vote of 59-36, and the Senate Organizing Resolution (S. Res. 120) by unanimous consent. Under the reorganization resolution, the Majority will be given one additional seat on all Committees and Subcommittees, while the Minority Senators will not be required to give up any current committee assignments. Debate on the FY 2001 Supplemental Appropriations legislation (S 1077) has been scheduled for Monday, July 9th.

II. UPDATE ON TOP PRIORITIES:

No new cosponsors were added to H.R. 21 (Lautenberg). Our current total is fourteen (14).

Three new cosponsors were added to H.R. 218 (Concealed Carry), bringing our current total to one hundred forty-two (142). We added one Representative, Doug Ose (R-CA), from our targeted list of cosponsors from the 106th Congress.  Please click here for updated list. We are urging ALL members to make contact with their Representatives while they are home for the holiday.

No new cosponsors were added to H.R. 1475 (Collective Bargaining). Our current total is one hundred and fifty-three (153).

No new cosponsors were added to S. 952 (Collective Bargaining). Our current total is eight (8) cosponsors. Senator Thomas A. Daschle (D-SD), the Senate Majority Leader, is now a cosponsor.

No new cosponsors were added to H.R. 1626 (Due Process). Our current total is three (3).

No new cosponsors were added to S. 840 (Due Process). Our current total is one (1).

Two new cosponsors were added to H.R. 664 (Gov't Pension Offset). Our current total is two hundred and forty (240), more than a majority of the House of Representatives.

No new cosponsors were added to S. 611 (Gov't Pension Offset). Our current total is twenty-one (21).

Seven new cosponsors were added to H.R. 848 (Windfall). Our current total is one hundred and two (102).

III. OTHER LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY:

On 27 June, President George W. Bush nominated President Gallegos to the United States Parole Commission (see Press Release at number IV). The commission has jurisdiction over the parole release of all eligible Federal prisoners.

On 27 June, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, State, Justice approved a $38.5 Billion FY 2002 spending bill, $600 Million above the President's request. The Justice Department would be funded at $21.5 Billion under the measure, $672 Million more than FY 2001 and $623 Million above the President's request, with much of the increase going to State and local crime fighting grants. Specifically, the bill provides $4.3 Billion to enhance assistance to State and local law enforcement, including $522 Million for Local Law Enforcement Block Grants, $570 Million for Byrne Grants, $250 Million for Juvenile Accountability Block Grants, $565 Million for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, and $1.01 Billion for the COPS program.

IV. BUSH NOMINATES NATIONAL PRESIDENT GALLEGOS TO U.S. PAROLE COMMISSION

Today, President George W. Bush announced the nomination of Gilbert G. Gallegos, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, to the U.S.Parole Commission. The Commission has parole release jurisdiction over all eligible Federal prisoners.

"I am honored that President Bush has asked me to serve our country," said Gallegos. "I am confident that my experience as a public safety officer will help me in my role as Commissioner."

Gallegos began his law enforcement career as a patrolman with the Albuquerque Police Department in 1964 and retired from that same department as its Deputy Chief in 1988. Since 1990, he has served as the Region I Drug Enforcement Coordinator and member of the Governor's Drug Enforcement Advisory Council in New Mexico. Gallegos is a graduate of the F.B.I. Academy's Police Administration Program and holds a Bachelor's degree in criminology from the University of Albuquerque.

Gallegos was elected three times as National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, the oldest and largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States. He has represented its more than 296,000 members since August 1995 and will step down later this year at the organization's 55th Biennial Conference.

In 1997, Gallegos was appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the Commission for the Advancement of Federal Law Enforcement (CAFLE). CAFLE issued its final report in January 2000.

Gallegos sits on the boards of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Easter Seals. He is a member of the Board of Professional Law Enforcement Certification, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Hispanic American Police Command Association.

The U.S. Parole Commission, established in 1930 as the United States Board of Parole, is an independent agency within the Department of Justice. In 1997, the Commission was mandated to make parole and parole revocation decisions for District of Columbia offenders.

The Fraternal Order of Police is the nation's largest law enforcement labor organization, with more than 296,000 members.

Fraternal Order of Police  (O) (202) 547-8189
National Legislative Office (F) (202) 547-8190
309 Massachusetts Ave., NE
Washington, DC 20002
FOP National Legislative Office

Fraternal Order of Police Grand Lodge

 

 

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