[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 15, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 28713-28714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11756]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 94 / Wednesday, May 15, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 28713]]


                Proclamation 8979 of May 10, 2013

                
Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Day after day, police officers in every corner of 
                America suit up, put on the badge, and carry out their 
                sworn duty to protect and serve. They step out the door 
                every morning without considering bravery or heroics. 
                They stay focused on meeting their responsibilities. 
                They concentrate on keeping their neighborhoods safe 
                and doing right by their fellow officers. And with 
                quiet courage, they help fulfill the demanding yet 
                vital task of shielding our people from harm. It is 
                work that deserves our deepest respect--because when 
                darkness and danger would threaten the peace, our 
                police officers are there to step in, ready to lay down 
                their lives to protect our own.

                This week, we pay solemn tribute to men and women who 
                did. Setting aside fear and doubt, these officers made 
                the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the rule of law and 
                the communities they loved. They heard the call to 
                serve and answered it; braved the line of fire; charged 
                toward the danger. Our hearts are heavy with their 
                loss, and on Peace Officers Memorial Day, our Nation 
                comes together to reflect on the legacy they left us.

                As we mark this occasion, let us remember that we can 
                do no greater service to those who perished than by 
                upholding what they fought to protect. That means doing 
                everything we can to make our communities safer. It 
                means putting cops back on the beat and supporting them 
                with the tools and training they need. It means getting 
                weapons of war off our streets and keeping guns out of 
                the hands of criminals--common-sense measures that 
                would reduce gun violence and help officers do their 
                job safely and effectively.

                Together, we can accomplish those goals. So as we take 
                this time to honor law enforcement in big cities and 
                small towns all across our country, let us join them in 
                pursuit of a brighter tomorrow. Our police officers 
                serve and sacrifice on our behalf every day, and as 
                citizens, we owe them nothing less than our full and 
                lasting support.

                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, 
                2013, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12 through 
                May 18, 2013, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans 
                to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and 
                activities. I also call on Governors of the United 
                States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials 
                of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of 
                the United States, 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.

[[Page 28714]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand 
                thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States 
                of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2013-11756
Filed 5-14-13; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F3