Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 1999

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 92 (Thursday, May 13, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 25797-25798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12269]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 92 / Thursday, May 13, 1999 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 25797]]

                Proclamation 7195 of May 10, 1999

                
Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 1999

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Whether working in big cities, suburban communities, or 
                small rural towns, America's law enforcement officers 
                serve each day as a defense against the forces of crime 
                and brutality. These courageous men and women defend 
                our lives with their own. All too often they pay the 
                ultimate price for their dedication, as America saw 
                again this past year when an armed intruder invaded the 
                United States Capitol and gunned down Officer Jacob J. 
                Chestnut and Detective John M. Gibson. These brave men 
                were husbands, fathers, neighbors, and friends. We must 
                honor and remember their sacrifice and the loss of the 
                loved ones they left behind.

                We must also remember that the heroes who died 
                defending the U.S. Capitol were just 2 of the 61 law 
                enforcement officers killed in the line of duty last 
                year. Firearms took all but 3 of these lives. In 
                addition, 78 officers died in tragic accidents. All of 
                their memories live on, not only with their friends and 
                families, but also in the hearts of all of us who enjoy 
                safer, more peaceful lives because of their dedicated 
                service.

                This week we honor with special gratitude the nearly 
                600,000 highly trained law enforcement personnel who 
                serve our Nation each day. Whether working undercover 
                against drug pushers, gang leaders, and terrorists; 
                apprehending fugitives; responding to domestic violence 
                calls; or arresting drunk drivers, these courageous men 
                and women uphold their pledge to preserve the peace and 
                promote the public's safety. In large part because of 
                their skill and determination, crime rates in our 
                Nation have fallen to the lowest point in 25 years, 
                with the murder rate at its lowest level in 30 years. 
                But the war on crime is a constant and dangerous 
                struggle, and during Police Week--and especially on 
                Peace Officers Memorial Day--we honor those who serve 
                on the front lines of that battle.

                By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962 (76 
                Stat. 676), the Congress has authorized and requested 
                the President to designate May 15 of each year as 
                ``Peace Officers Memorial Day'' and the week in which 
                it falls as ``Police Week,'' and, by Public Law 103-322 
                (36 U.S.C. 167), has requested that the flag be flown 
                at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 
                1999, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 9 through 
                15, 1999, as Police Week. I call upon the people of the 
                United States to observe these occasions with 
                appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities. I 
                also request the Governors of the States and of the 
                Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as the appropriate 
                officials of all units of government, to direct that 
                the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff on 
                Peace Officers Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, 
                and naval vessels throughout the United States and all 
                areas under its jurisdiction and control. I also invite 
                all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from 
                their homes on that day.

[[Page 25798]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
                third.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 99-12269
Filed 5-12-99; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P