Presidential
Proclamation:
Peace
Officers' Memorial Day and Police Week, 2013
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.
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.
BARACK
OBAMA
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