Tribute to the Lost Border Heroes

The rain, of course, hampered the candles. At a podium, speakers gave their remarks under umbrellas, with Kelley sheltering Chertoff with hers when he spoke.

"The best way that we can serve their memory is to continue to perform in a fashion that will bring honor to that service," Basham said. "I would say to all of us, that in our actions and in our words, that we should never say or do anything that would bring dishonor to the organization they served so honorably."

Before the final procession, the labor leader, the federal officials and the congressman joined in the laying of a wreath.

And the rain stopped.

Hearing on Paid Parental Leave

Three-quarters of Fortune 100 companies offer mothers some form of paid leave when they have a child, typically lasting from six to eight weeks, a report released yesterday by the Joint Economic Committee's Democratic staff said.

Reps. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.), vice chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, and Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), chairman of the House federal workforce subcommittee, have scheduled a hearing today on legislation that would provide federal employees with eight weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

Among the Fortune 100 companies, fathers are less likely to be offered paid parental leave, the staff report said. One-third of the companies reported offering fathers paid parental leave, and among those offering paid leave, the length is typically two weeks, the report said.

Stephen Barr's e-mail address isbarrs@washpost.com.