2021 -- H 6321

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LC002769

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING MAY 15TH AS "NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY" AND

COMMEMORATING MAY 9TH -15TH, 2021, AS "NATIONAL POLICE WEEK" IN THE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Noret, Hull, Shekarchi, Amore, Filippi, Chippendale,
Casimiro, Corvese, Vella-Wilkinson, and Baginski

     Date Introduced: May 11, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation declaring May

15th of each year to be National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which May 15th

falls to be National Police Week. In 1966, it was enacted in the Rhode Island General Laws, and

in 1994, President William Jefferson Clinton directed that the United States Flag be flown at half-

staff every May 15th; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island annually commemorates “National Police Week”

in memory of those police officers who have selflessly died or been disabled in the line of duty

protecting and serving the citizenry of our State; and

     WHEREAS, In Rhode Island, a total of fifty-one police officers have given their lives in

the line of duty, and in 2020 alone, 264 federal, state, military, tribal, and local law enforcement

officers across the country died in the line-of-duty, many due to COVID-19 while engaged in a

line-of-duty action or activity. It was the highest number of police officer deaths since 1974; and

     WHEREAS, Police officers in the State of Rhode Island and across America work

diligently on behalf of the people without regard to the peril or hazards they face each and every

day as they safeguard our lives, our rights and freedoms, and our property. It is important to

recognize and thank these noble and courageous individuals; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

recognizes May 15th as “Peace Officers Memorial Day” and celebrates the week of May 9th --

15th , 2021, as “National Police Week” in our State, and invites all Rhode Island communities

and citizenry to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House hereby offers sincere condolences to the families and

friends of the valiant and heroic police officers who have given their lives or have been disabled

in the performance of their duty in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island State Lodge Fraternal Order

of Police, and the Rhode Island International Brotherhood of Police Officers.

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LC002769

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