*\--For Immediate Release\--\
*

From the Office of U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson\
Representing the Second Congressional District of South Carolina

June 4, 2003

**Wilson Applauds Efforts of IN-VEST USA to Provide Law Enforcement
Officers Across America with Life-Saving Bulletproof Vests**

***Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) hosted a press
conference on Capitol Hill to kickoff Invest USA's campaign providing
bulletproof vests for police officers across the U.S. In-Vest USA is a
grassroots organization that provides bulletproof vests to law
enforcement officers through private fundraising. Also on hand were
In-Vest USA Founder Michael Letts and Concerns Of Police officer
Survivors (COPS) Founder Shirley Gibson.***

"Michael Letts and In-Vest USA are leading a very noble and worthwhile
effort to save the lives of our law enforcement officers," said Rep.
Wilson. "These men and women put their lives on the line day and night,
and they deserve the best equipment to defend against attack. They
protect us, and we should help protect them."

"I also want to thank Senator Lindsey Graham for his leadership on this
most important issue. We need everyone aware of the fact that not every
local police department can afford the \$500 per bulletproof vest for
each of their officers. In-Vest's efforts are a prime example of
Americans looking for innovative ways to make a difference in their
local communities."

\###

-Wesley M. Denton, Communications Director

Congressman Joe Wilson\'s Office (SC, 2nd District)

212 Cannon House Office Building \| Washington, DC 20515

C: 202-441-6565

P: 202-225-2452

F: 202-225-2455

http://joewilson.house.gov

*IN-VEST USA PRESS RELEASE:*

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:**

**Carol Fitzgerald**

**1-888-707-4927**

**In-Vest USA Launches National Effort to Help Communities Protect Local
Police Officers**

**[Congressman Joe Wilson from South Carolina Hosts Kick-Off on Capitol
Steps Wednesday June 4th to Raise Money for Bullet-Proof
Vests]{.underline}**

Washington, D.C. (June 4, 2003) \-- In-Vest USA, a grassroots
organization that provides bullet-proof vests to law enforcement
officers, launched its national effort on the steps of the Capitol
today. The event was hosted by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.).

Also on hand at the kick-off were spouses of law-enforcement officers
who died in the line of duty because they were not wearing bullet-proof
vests. Currently, more than half of the law enforcement officers in the
United States are not provided with a basic bulletproof vest which costs
\$500. According to FBI data, wearing body armor may have prevented
fifty-six percent of the law enforcement felony fatalities that occurred
during the years 1990-2002.

The South Carolina-based organization was asked to take its efforts
national after it donated more than \$250,000 in bullet-proof vests
through efforts that involved grassroots community support; corporate
sponsorships and employee volunteers from companies like BellSouth, Blue
Cross/Blue Shield and Wachovia Bank; and government incentives.

"I recently came back from a tour in which tellers from Wachovia Bank
gave their local officers the vests that they bought using \$60,000 in
donations raised from local citizens. It was a very powerful and moving
day that exemplifies what can happen when communities pull together to
protect their protectors," said Rep. Wilson.

Last Saturday, employees and retirees from BellSouth Pioneers, the
volunteer arm of BellSouth, contributed \$14,000 in vests from money
donated by BellSouth Pioneers which included a BellSouth corporate
contribution of \$5000. The organization plans to raise \$50,000 and
purchase 100 vests over the next 18 months.

"In-Vest has been a great success," said Sen. Graham. "I'm proud that
it's going to be expanded nationwide. We owe it to our law enforcement
officers to provide the tools they need to be successful and protected
while doing their job. "

Michael Letts, a South Carolina businessman, founded In-Vest in 1993
after being outraged to learn that local law enforcement officers were
not provided protective vests as a regular part of their personal
equipment. He said that In-Vest is even more important now than it was
10 years ago.

"In-Vest is a program that fosters community action and involvement
especially during these challenging times in America when our law
enforcement officers are our front-line defenders. In-Vest presents a
positive and strong venue that gives people a way to take action and
help in homeland security," he concluded.

**For more information, or to find out how you can help call toll free
1-877-775-VEST or visit us on the web [www.investusa.org
\<http://www.investusa.org\>]{.underline}.**

\#####