[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE POLICE UNITY TOUR'S FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2012

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Police 
Unity Tour and its riders as they mark their Fifteenth Anniversary.
  In May of 1997, the Police Unity Tour was organized to raise 
awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty 
and to honor their sacrifices. The Tour, the inspiration of Florham 
Park, New Jersey Police Officer Patrick P. Montuore, currently Florham 
Park Police Chief, has grown significantly since its first year. New 
chapters have formed in many states, including New York, Florida, 
Delaware and California.
  During National Police Week, participants in the Police Unity Tour 
travel 300 miles by bicycle from New Jersey to the National Law 
Enforcement Officer's Memorial in Washington DC. The tour culminates in 
a candlelight vigil held in Washington DC at the Memorial where the 
names of newly added officers are read aloud and officially dedicated 
on the monument. This ceremony reminds the participants that their 
important work is never done.
  To honor fallen officers who have fallen in the line of duty, the 
ride helps raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer's 
Memorial Fund. Since 1997, the Police Unity Tour has raised $10 million 
for the Fund, going towards the task of adding officers' names to the 
Memorial's Hall of Remembrance and providing for renovations to the 
facility.
  From 18 participants raising $18,000 for the Fund in its first year, 
the Police Unity Tour has grown to over 1,200 riders who raised $1.325 
million in 2011 alone. Inspired by its motto, ``We Ride for Those Who 
Died'', participants come from over 40 states as well as a number of 
countries such as Australia, Israel and India. However different the 
backgrounds of these officers may be, they all share in the common 
purpose of honoring and remembering their fellow fallen officers.
  The National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial contains the names of 
19,000 officers who have sacrificed their lives to keep our communities 
safe and the contributions of the Police Unity Tour have helped 
preserve their memory. In 2006, The Police Unity Tour pledged to raise 
$5 million to restore the Memorial and in 2009 the restoration was 
completed, ensuring that the names and legacies of these officers will 
never be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
the Police Unity Tour and the law enforcement officers who participate 
in it, as they mark 15 years of devotion to the law enforcement 
community.

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