SR0527 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0527 LRB099 12320 GRL 35412 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is the intent of the members of the Illinois Senate to recognize and honor those distinguished officers and citizens who would devote themselves to public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing for the care of the citizens of their communities and this State; and

WHEREAS, There is a need to show law enforcement and other first responders that our citizens recognize and honor the difficult job they do in public service for all of us; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters and police officers dedicate and risk their lives in the protection of life and property to ensure that their communities are as safe as possible and are deserving of thanks for their contributions to our criminal justice system and our public safety; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters, police officers, and first responders not only are often valued, trusted, and upstanding members of our communities, but are also brothers, fathers, sisters, mothers, and siblings; and

WHEREAS, The National Fire Protection Association estimates that there are currently 1,140,750 local firefighters in the United States, of whom 354,600 are career firefighters and 786,150 are volunteer firefighters; and

WHEREAS, The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates there are 461,000 sworn local police officers in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 60,000 assaults against law enforcement officers are reported each year, resulting in approximately 16,000 injuries; over 30 firefighters have also been killed in the line of duty in 2015; and

WHEREAS, In Illinois, there are 877 law enforcement agencies employing 41,277 sworn police officers and 1,126 fire departments employing 18,421 firefighters; and

WHEREAS, In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Peace Officer Memorial Week to pay special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate May 14, 2015 as Police, Firefighter, and First Responder Appreciation Day in the State of Illinois and urge all Illinoisans to recognize and honor those whose unwavering commitment to public safety has earned them our great esteem and admiration.