For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 9, 2001
Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2001
By the President of the United States of America a Proclamation
Each day, law enforcement officers encounter
grave risk to protect the rights and freedoms we enjoy as
Americans. Their commitment and sacrifice make our streets
safer, our neighbor--hoods stronger, and our families more
secure. Police Week provides an opportunity to recognize the
selfless dedication of the brave men and women who devote their lives
to protecting and serving our communities.
This Nation owes a considerable debt of gratitude to all law
enforcement officers who protect the lives and property of their fellow
Americans. From patrolling our highways, to investigating
crime, to protecting victims' rights, these committed professionals
make a valuable difference in our communities. We look to
them to uphold the principle that no one is beyond the protection or
reach of the law. These men and women, through their
patriotic service and dedicated effort, have earned our gratitude and
respect.
We pause during Police Week, and in
particular on Peace Officers Memorial Day, to honor those officers who
made the ultimate sacrifice while performing their sworn
duty. I urge all Americans to use this occasion to pay
tribute to these fallen heroes by recalling their devotion, celebrating
their lives, and honoring their service.
Tragically, making America safer often requires great sacrifice.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 150
law enforcement officers lost their lives in the line of duty in 2000.
Although we can never repay the debt we owe these valiant officers and
their families, we pay tribute to their memory by committing ourselves
to being law-abiding citizens, working to lower crime in our
communities, and investing time and love in our Nation's young people.
By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962
(76 Stat. 676), the Congress has authorized and requested the President
to designate May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" and
the week in which it falls as "Police Week," and, by Public Law 103-322
(36 U.S.C. 136), has directed that the flag be flown at half-staff on
Peace Officers Memorial Day.
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue
of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2001, as Peace Officers
Memorial Day and May 13 through May 19, 2001, as Police
Week. I call upon all the people of the United States to
observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and
activities. I also call upon Governors of the
United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as
appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the
flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial
Day. I also encourage all Americans to display the flag at
half-staff from their homes on that day.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
this eighth
day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-fifth.
GEORGE
W. BUSH
# # #
|