2016 -- H 7940

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LC005069

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MARCH 17, 2016, TO BE "LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE SERVICE

DEPARTMENT DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Almeida, Jacquard, Tobon, and Johnston

     Date Introduced: March 15, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, On every day of the year, law enforcement officers and fire service

department professionals work diligently and tirelessly to protect the people and property in

Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, These dedicated individuals undergo rigorous training and extensively study

safety and protection issues in order to best serve the residents of our great state. Their

responsibilities require an abundance of physical strength, courage, and stamina, and an abiding

and selfless concern for the safety of others; and

     WHEREAS, Our law enforcement officers and fire department personnel protect our

schools, public meeting places, our homes and our physical safety twenty-four hours a day, every

day of the year. It is because of them that we are able to go about our daily lives with a reasonable

expectation of being safe and secure; and

     WHEREAS, All too often, these devoted public service heroes pay the ultimate price in

order to protect us from dangerous and hazardous situations. These dedicated servants always

answer the call and always come to the aid of those in need, regardless of the dangers they face or

the possible consequences they may endure; and

     WHEREAS, There are more than 900,000 men and women serving in law enforcement

agencies across the United States. Over the past ten years, approximately 1,500 have lost their

lives in the line of duty. Law enforcement officers have also been the victim of approximately

580,000 assaults over the past ten years and suffered more than 156,000 injuries during that same

period. In 2015, 124 law enforcement officers were killed in on-duty incidents; and

     WHEREAS, There are approximately 1,140,750 firefighters currently serving in the

United States. Over the past ten years, 965 of these first responders perished in the line of duty

and approximately 800,000 were injured while responding to emergency calls for assistance. In

2015, 85 fire service personnel were killed in on-duty incidents; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims March 17, 2016, to be "Law Enforcement and Fire

Service Department Day" in the State of Rhode Island. We furthermore thank the members of this

"fraternity" for their tireless, diligent and valorous service on every day to the citizens of Rhode

Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Paul Reed, President of the Rhode Island

Association of Fire Fighters, Colonel Hugh Clements, President, Rhode Island Police Chiefs'

Association, Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and

Bob Sweeney, President, RES Associates.

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LC005069

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