In a Thursday press release, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) announced the successful passage of a bipartisan resolution recognizing May 14 through 20, 2023, as National Police Week.
This resolution is backed by a vast bipartisan coalition, comprising 78 Senators, including Dr. Paul himself.
Its primary purpose is to honor law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty during 2022.
Senator Paul said, “The selflessness and courage of our police officers from Kentucky and across the country inspire us to work toward a safer and more just society.”
He further affirmed the importance of this national observance, stating, “National Police Week provides an opportunity to honor their hard work and remember the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. It serves as a solemn reminder of the risks officers face daily and the courage they exhibit while safeguarding our communities.”
The bipartisan Senate resolution carries significant undertones, particularly with respect to support for law enforcement officers nationwide.
It “expresses unwavering support for law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities.”
Moreover, it “recognizes the need to ensure that law enforcement officers have the equipment, training, and resources that are necessary in order to protect the health and safety of the officers while they protect the public.”
The resolution also lauds the law enforcement community for its ongoing “unseen acts of sacrifice and heroism.”
It acknowledges that police officers and other law enforcement personnel, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, should be remembered and honored.
Furthermore, the resolution extends condolences and solemn appreciation to the loved ones of each law enforcement officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The Senators involved with the resolution also encourage the people of the United States to observe National Police Week by honoring law enforcement personnel and promoting awareness of the essential mission that law enforcement personnel undertake in service to their communities and the United States.
Along with Dr. Rand Paul, the resolution is cosponsored by numerous U.S. Senators from both sides of the aisle, demonstrating its broad bipartisan support, including:
- Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)
- Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)
- Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
- Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)
- John Cornyn (R-Texas)
- Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)
- Mike Lee (R-Utah)
- Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)
- Ted Cruz (R-Texas)
- Chris Coons (D-Del.)
- Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)
- Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)
- Tom Cotton (R-Ark.)
- Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii)
- John Kennedy (R-La.)
- Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.)
- Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)
- Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)
- Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)
- Tom Carper (D-Del.)
- Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
- Ben Cardin (D-Md.)
- Bob Casey (D-Pa.)
- Susan Collins (R-Maine)
- Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.)
- Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)
- John Fetterman (D-Pa.)
- Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)
- Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.)
- John Thune (R-S.D.)
- Tim Kaine (D-Va.)
- John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)
- Angus King (I-Maine)
- Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)
- Ben Lujan (D-N.M.)
- Jim Risch (R-Idaho)
- Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)
- Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)
- Ed Markey (D-Mass.)
- John Boozman (R-Ark.)
- John Hoeven (R-N.D.)
- Bob Menendez (D-N.J.)
- Gary Peters (D-Mich.)
- Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)
- Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.)
- Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)
- Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)
- Jon Tester (D-Mont.)
- Tim Scott (R-S.C.)
- Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.)
- Deb Fischer (R-Neb.)
- Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.)
- Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.)
- Bill Cassidy (R-La.)
- Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)
- James Lankford (R-Okla.)
- Jack Reed (D-R.I.)
- Steve Daines (R-Mont.)
- Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)
- Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)
- Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)
- Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska)
- Todd Young (R-Ind.)
- Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.)
- Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.)
- Mitt Romney (R-Utah)
- Mike Braun (R-Ind.)
- Rick Scott (R-Fla.)
- Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.)
- Roger Marshall (R-Kan.)
- Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.)
- Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.)
- Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.)
- Ted Budd (R-N.C.)
- J.D. Vance (R-Ohio)
- Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.)
- Eric Schmitt (R-Miss.)
- Katie Britt (R-Ala.)
The passage of this resolution marks an important recognition of the dedication, hard work, and often dangerous roles that law enforcement officers undertake in their service to their communities and the nation.
