[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 9, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WEEK

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, on May 5, 1984, former President Ronald 
Reagan issued a proclamation designating the first week in May as 
National Correctional Officers Week. He did so ``in recognition of the 
contributions of correctional officers to our Nation.'' I believe it is 
important to continue to recognize the contributions and critical work 
that correctional officers engage in on a daily basis, often risking 
their own safety in the course of carrying out their duties.
  Correctional officers are tasked with keeping inmates safe, as well 
as the thousands of staff supporting the operation of correctional 
facilities. Our Nation's correctional officers are not only an integral 
part of the criminal justice system, but they play a key role in 
helping maintain public safety.
  Correctional officers are also placed in a unique position to have 
meaningful interactions with incarcerated individuals. It is not 
uncommon for correctional officers to provide the prisoner population 
with the support and resources they need to succeed after their release 
so that inmates are able to become productive members of society.
  During National Correctional Officers Week, we are reminded of the 
service and sacrifice of correctional officers. I wish to take this 
opportunity to thank the over 400,000 correctional officers in the 
United States for the often thankless job that they do. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring these key public servants.

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