[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 18, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 31483-31484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11925]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 18, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 31483]]


                Proclamation 9448 of May 13, 2016

                
Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For generations, the brave women and men of our 
                Nation's law enforcement have answered the call to 
                serve and protect our communities. Enduring long shifts 
                in dangerous and unpredictable circumstances, our 
                Nation's peace officers embody the courage and honor 
                that represent the best of America. On Peace Officers 
                Memorial Day and during Police Week, we express our 
                gratitude for the selfless public servants who wear the 
                badge and put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe, 
                and we pay respect for those who lost their lives in 
                the line of duty.

                In moments of danger and desperation, the first people 
                we turn to are law enforcement officers. These often 
                unsung heroes risk their lives and sacrifice precious 
                time with loved ones so their fellow Americans can live 
                in peace and security. But more than that, they are 
                leaders in their communities, serving as mentors, 
                coaches, friends, and neighbors--working tirelessly 
                each day to ensure that the people they serve have the 
                opportunities that should be afforded to all Americans. 
                In honor of all they do, we must give these dedicated 
                professionals the support and appreciation they 
                deserve.

                My Administration continues to work to ensure police 
                departments and other law enforcement agencies 
                throughout our country have the resources required to 
                hire, train, and retain officers, provide officers with 
                modern and necessary equipment, and utilize technology 
                to enhance their communication networks. And our 
                Federal law enforcement officers regularly partner with 
                their State and local counterparts to address some of 
                our Nation's most difficult problems. We know that 
                strong community bonds are essential for law 
                enforcement to do their jobs effectively. I established 
                a Task Force on 21st Century Policing, bringing 
                together law enforcement, academia, youth, civil 
                rights, and community leaders to provide concrete 
                recommendations to enhance public safety while building 
                community trust. Law enforcement officials care deeply 
                about their communities, and together with our partners 
                in law enforcement, we must work to build up our 
                neighborhoods, prevent crime before it happens, and put 
                opportunity within reach for all our people.

                Because each fallen peace officer is one too many, I 
                proudly signed the Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu 
                National Blue Alert Act last year--bipartisan 
                legislation that establishes a national ``Blue Alert'' 
                communications network to disseminate information about 
                threats to officers. The legislation seeks to ensure 
                that appropriate steps can be taken as quickly as 
                possible to provide for an officer's safety. I also 
                announced new, commonsense gun safety reforms to help 
                keep guns out of the wrong hands and emphasized that 
                the already dangerous job of an officer is far more 
                dangerous than it should be because it remains too easy 
                for criminals and people who are a danger to others or 
                themselves to have access to guns.

                It takes a special kind of courage to be a peace 
                officer. Whether deputies or detectives, tribal police 
                or forest service officers, beat cops or Federal 
                agents, we hold up those who wear the badge as heroes. 
                Though they too often spend their days witnessing 
                America at its worst, in their extraordinary examples, 
                we see America at its best. On this day and throughout

[[Page 31484]]

                this week, let us celebrate those who nobly serve each 
                day--and remember those who made the ultimate 
                sacrifice--to move our world toward a more just and 
                safe tomorrow. May we carry forward their brave and 
                selfless spirit as we keep working together to shape a 
                future worthy of their commitment.

                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, 
                2016, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 15 through 
                May 21, 2016, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans 
                to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and 
                activities. I also call on the Governors of the United 
                States and its Territories, 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.

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

[FR Doc. 2016-11925
Filed 5-17-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P