HONORING POLICE OFFICERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS DURING POLICE WEEK

May 19, 2009

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia:  Mr. Speaker, this resolution honors police officers and law enforcement professionals during Police Week. In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed the week in which May 15 occurs to be Police Week. For over 40 years, the week of May 15 has continued to be the time to honor men and women in our Nation's law enforcement agencies, who protect our neighborhoods, our homes, and our loved ones.

The men and women who dedicate their careers to our safety do so at the expense of spending long hours away from their own families, putting themselves at great risk--and, in too many instances, making the ultimate sacrifice.

In fact, we have lost over 20,000 officers in the line of duty over the course of our history. Since January 1 of this year, we've lost 48 officers--five since the beginning of this month alone. Yet regardless of the continuing danger, day after day, and year after year, these dedicated professionals continue to make the sacrifices for their communities, without asking for thanks or praise.

And so the law enforcement professionals and police officers who toil in our communities across the Nation deserve our unwavering support and our thankful recognition.

I commend the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney) for introducing this resolution and for giving the House of Representatives the opportunity to show respect and admiration for our law enforcement professionals. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.