[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
