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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 92 (Thursday, May 14, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 22817-22818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11497]



                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 92 / Thursday, May 14, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 22817]]

                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 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.

[[Page 22818]]

                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.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-11497
Filed 5-13-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P
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