Legislation to bolster protection of law enforcement officers and firemen has been proposed in Congress. HR 2069, introduced by Rep, C. W. (Bill) Young, R-Fla. would make it a federal offense to assault a law officer or firefighter during the course of official duties. Young echoed the indignation of Americans in the attack on President Reagan and Press Secretary James Brady by a would-be assassin and on Washington police officer Thomas Delahanty and Secret Service Agent Timothy McCarthy as they attempted to protect Reagan and Brady. All were seriously wounded. Further. he described a recent case in Florida in which a St. Petersburg police officer survived a gunshot fired at close range by a convicted murderer on parole because a bullet was stopped by the officer’s badge and “flak jacket.” The officer returned the fire and fatally-wounded the attacker. Young cited these alarming statistics: “About 165 law enforcement officers are assaulted every day -17 of every 100 officers. A total of 60,000 were assaulted in the line of duty last year. “Firefighters are vulnerable, too An average of 150 are injured annually as a result of personal assault.” Young’s bill would classify as federal offenses crimes to “assault, strike. wound, or discharge a firearm or explosive at any law enforcement officer or firefighter” in pursuit of an official assignment. This would subject the FBI and federal courts to involvement in handling such cases. The lawmaker told the House of Representatives he believes expeditious action on the bill would be ”a powerful message to those who would assault officers responsible for our protection.” The proposed legislation warrants a hearing in Congress. Respect for the law and those charged with enforcing it must be strengthened and protected. When respect deteriorates. so does lawand-order in general. A