DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: President Clinton will make an announcement today about a plan to protect the nation's police officers, while honoring those who have lost their lives. CNN White House correspondent Major Garrett joining us this morning with details. Major, good morning.</s>MAJOR GARRETT, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. The president will go to the steps of the United States Capitol later today to attend a ceremony honoring police officers killed in the line of duty. At that ceremony, the president will announce the release of $24 million in federal funds to purchase some 90,000 new bulletproof vests for police departments across the country. Under the program, the police departments and the federal government split the cost. And half of all that $24 million is to be directed to police departments in cities with fewer than 100,000 residents. The president will make a second announcement as well, saying that he will direct Attorney General Janet Reno to create a award of valor for public safety officers. White House officials describe it, as the law enforcement equivalent of the medal of honor for military heroism. These moves are designed to underscore the White House support of law enforcement officers after a weekend dedicated to the Million Mom March, where its gun-control message enjoyed such political prominence. Major Garrett, CNN, reporting live from the White House</s>KAGAN: Major, thank you.
President Clinton to Announce $24M in Federal Funds for Bulletproof Vests