[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 123, 111th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8378--MAY 11, 2009

Proclamation 8378 of May 11, 2009
Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2009
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Every day, peace officers put on their uniforms and go to work to
safeguard America's communities and uphold the freedoms we hold dear.
This week we honor their contributions and sacrifice.
Law enforcement officers routinely place themselves in harm's way to
protect people they do not and will not know. They serve willingly

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and devotedly, and their commitment is essential for us to maintain a
healthy quality of life, a strong economy, the safety of our families,
and a robust national security system.
My Administration is working to keep Americans safe and to strengthen
the Federal partnership with America's peace officers. The American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which I recently signed, makes $4 billion
available for State and local law enforcement. This provision will save
or create thousands of law enforcement jobs across the country through
the revitalized Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Recovery
Program. The Recovery Act also provides $2 billion through the Edward
Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. These measures will put
more officers on the street and help those already serving to perform
their jobs more effectively.
The benefits that peace officers provide come with great sacrifice.
Every year, many give their lives in the performance of their duties.
Their contributions live on in the communities they strengthened, and
their service will never be forgotten. This week, as we recognize their
commitment to duty, we renew our pledge to support their families and
colleagues.
The President has been requested to designate May 15 of each year as
Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of all Federal, State, and local
officers killed or disabled in the line of duty, and to designate that
week as Police Week in recognition of their service given to the United
States (36 U.S.C. 136-37).
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2009, as Peace Officers Memorial Day
and May 10 through May 16, 2009, 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 eleventh day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA