Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2007

Proclamation 8144 of May 11, 2007

Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2007

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

In every American community, committed law enforcement
officers watch over our neighborhoods and work to make
our Nation a safer, more peaceful place. As we observe
Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, we honor
the men and women who serve the cause of justice, and
we pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in
the line of duty.

By taking an oath to serve and protect their fellow
citizens, law enforcement officers answer a vital
calling and accept a profound responsibility. These
extraordinary Americans work to uphold our laws and
serve on the front lines in the fight against crime and
terrorism.

We owe a lasting debt to those who sacrificed their
lives while serving and protecting our fellow citizens.
These fallen officers live on in our national memory as
Americans whose courage and commitment have shown the
true meaning of heroism. We offer our respect and
prayers to their loved ones.

On Peace Officers Memorial Day and during Police Week,
we recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of the
men and women whose devotion to duty brings honor to
our system of justice and makes America a better place.

By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as
amended, (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, as amended, (36 U.S.C. 136), has directed that
the flag be flown at half staff on Peace Officers
Memorial Day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15,
2007, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 13 through
May 19, 2007, as Police Week. I call on all Americans
to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and
activities. I also call on Governors of the United
States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as
appropriate officials of all units of government, to
direct that the flag be flown at half staff on Peace
Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all
Americans to display the flag at half staff from their
homes and businesses on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.