R 110
2016 -- H 7940
Enacted 03/15/2016

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

     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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