Today marks the beginning of National Police Week – a week that occurs every year to appreciate and thank our law enforcement officers, as well as remember and respect those officers whose lives were taken in the line of duty.
National Police Week began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as National Police Week. Since then, every May, we have celebrated those who are devoted to keeping our communities safe and honored our fallen law enforcement heroes.
In Congress, National Police Week means thousands of law enforcement officers from across the nation will come visit elected officials in Washington, D.C. to highlight what we can do to best support them, honor their fallen brothers and sisters, and participate in memorials and group events. Their presence with us at our nation’s Capitol will not only be a critical reminder of the important work they do, but also a reminder of the brutal violence they face and sacrifices they make.
Yet, although our brave men and women who wear the blue uniform selflessly make the choice to serve our communities knowing the dangers of the profession, there has been a spike in anti-police rhetoric in recent years. This blame of some of the faults of society on police officers as a whole is truly unacceptable, as it is not only disrespectful, but it has also resulted in a surge of violent crime against police officers across the country.
This is why, this National Police Week, my House Republican colleagues and I are bringing a series of bills forward that will reinforce our continued support for our brave law enforcement officers. H. Res. 1213 will condemn calls to defund the police, H.R. 7581 will ensure adequate data collection to address the rise in anti-police attacks, H.R. 7343 requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain any illegal immigrant who has been charged with or convicted of assaulting a police officer, H.R. 354 will allow qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms on state, local, and private property otherwise open to the public, and more.
As the Representative for the law enforcement community in Oklahoma’s Fourth District, I am proud to support these bills and our men and women in blue, not just this week, but every week. So, to those who uphold the badge and put themselves in harm’s way to protect others, thank you. And to our fallen law enforcement heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice, we can truly never do enough to honor your sacrifice and we will never forget you.
