[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 82 (Wednesday, May 12, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S2477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          National Police Week

  Madam President, on another matter, I have come to the floor I think 
Monday, Tuesday, and today because this is National Police Week, to 
honor our men and women in blue. It started way back in 1962. Our 
Nation has annually celebrated the lives and memory of the men and 
women of law enforcement who are killed in the line of duty.
  The origin of National Police Week goes back nearly 50 years to 
President John F. Kennedy's proclamation that each May 15 be designated 
as ``National Peace Officers Memorial Day.'' Over the years, this 
single day has grown into a weeklong opportunity to honor the 
sacrifices of our law enforcement professionals throughout America.
  Normally, tens of thousands of police officers, deputy sheriffs, 
State troopers, and others sworn to uphold the rule of law would have 
gathered here in our Nation's Capital. They would be participating in a 
host of events that both honor their fallen colleagues and celebrate 
their comradery. Unfortunately, the global virus pandemic continues to 
take its toll on nearly every aspect of life, with National Police Week 
events being no exception. It is very disappointing to lose the 
opportunity to celebrate, as we have every year before last year, our 
communities' heroes in this public way. Maybe next year it will be back 
to normal.
  Rather than gathering in-person along the National Mall, this year's 
events will include a virtual candlelight vigil. On Thursday, May 13, 
Americans will come together online to pay tribute to our fallen 
protectors. The name of each man and woman who gave their last measure 
of devotion during the previous year will be read aloud. I encourage 
everyone to join me in honoring their sacrifice during this event.
  Despite the impact of COVID-19 and the risk to their individual 
safety, men and women of law enforcement continue to steadfastly uphold 
their oath to serve and to protect.
  Pandemic or not, the National Law Enforcement Memorial remains a 
focal point of National Police Week. It is here where cops come to 
remember their departed friends and honor those families of the lost 
ones.
  At the time of its dedication in 1991, the names of 12,000 local, 
State, and Federal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty 
dating back to 1786 were engraved onto that memorial. Each year, the 
curved stone walls are updated with the names of the recently fallen. 
Today, over 22,000 heroes are permanently venerated within those solemn 
3 acres.
  In our own Declaration of Independence, our Founding Fathers spoke of 
certain unalienable rights endowed by our Creator. Those specifically 
mentioned were life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. None of 
these rights are possible without every citizen's most basic level of 
security.
  While the United States has layers of safety built into our system of 
government, none is more critical to our foundational rights than local 
law enforcement. Maintaining a free, safe, and civil society is 
squarely dependent on someone who is willing to answer the call without 
regard to time or circumstance and who puts themselves in harm's way to 
ensure that the innocent are protected and the law is upheld.