Presidential Proclamation --Peace Officers
Memorial Day and Police Week, 2016
PEACE OFFICERS
MEMORIAL DAY AND POLICE WEEK, 2016
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BY THE PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
For generations, the brave women and men of our Nation's law
enforcement have answered the call to serve and protect our
communities. Enduring long shifts in dangerous and unpredictable
circumstances, our Nation's peace officers embody the courage and honor
that represent the best of America. On Peace Officers Memorial Day
and during Police Week, we express our gratitude for the selfless public
servants who wear the badge and put themselves in harm's way to keep us
safe, and we pay respect for those who lost their lives in the line of
duty.
In moments of danger and desperation, the first people we turn
to are law enforcement officers. These often unsung heroes risk their
lives and sacrifice precious time with loved ones so their fellow Americans
can live in peace and security. But more than that, they are leaders
in their communities, serving as mentors, coaches, friends, and neighbors
-- working tirelessly each day to ensure that the people they serve have
the opportunities that should be afforded to all Americans. In honor
of all they do, we must give these dedicated professionals the support and
appreciation they deserve.
My Administration
continues to work to ensure police departments and other law enforcement
agencies throughout our country have the resources required to hire, train,
and retain officers, provide officers with modern and necessary equipment,
and utilize technology to enhance their communication networks. And
our Federal law enforcement officers regularly partner with their State and
local counterparts to address some of our Nation's most difficult
problems. We know that strong community bonds are essential for law
enforcement to do their jobs effectively. I established a Task Force
on 21st Century Policing, bringing together law enforcement, academia,
youth, civil rights, and community leaders to provide concrete
recommendations to enhance public safety while building community
trust. Law enforcement officials care deeply about their communities,
and together with our partners in law enforcement, we must work to build up
our neighborhoods, prevent crime before it happens, and put opportunity
within reach for all our people.
Because each fallen peace officer is one too many, I
proudly signed the Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act
last year -- bipartisan legislation that establishes a national "Blue
Alert" communications network to disseminate information about threats
to officers. The legislation seeks to ensure that appropriate
steps can be taken as quickly as possible to provide for an officer's
safety. I also announced new, commonsense gun safety reforms to help
keep guns out of the wrong hands and emphasized that the already dangerous
job of an officer is far more dangerous than it should be because it remains
too easy for criminals and people who are a danger to others or themselves
to have access to guns.
It takes a special kind of courage to be a peace
officer. Whether deputies or detectives, tribal police or forest
service officers, beat cops or Federal agents, we hold up those who wear
the badge as heroes. Though they too often spend their days
witnessing America at its worst, in their extraordinary examples, we see
America at its best. On this day and throughout this week, let us
celebrate those who nobly serve each day -- and remember those who made the
ultimate sacrifice -- to move our world toward a more just and safe
tomorrow. May we carry forward their brave and selfless spirit as we
keep working together to shape a future worthy of their commitment.
By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as amended (76
Stat. 676), and by Public Law 103-322, as amended (36 U.S.C. 136-137), the
President has been authorized and requested to designate May 15 of each
year as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" and the week in which it
falls as "Police Week."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United
States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2016, as Peace Officers
Memorial Day and May 15 through May 21, 2016, as Police Week. I call
upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and
activities. I
also call on the Governors of the United States and its Territories, and
appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag
be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further
encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes
and businesses on that day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of May, in the year of our
Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA
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