WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22), Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), and 29 Members of Congress reintroduced the National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act.
This bipartisan legislation would establish a formal program within the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) to support and enhance the community outreach, public education and officer safety and wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement Museum through grants to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). These programs would memorialize and honor law enforcement, compile data on law enforcement fatalities and injuries, increase public understanding of and support for law enforcement, enhance and improve law enforcement officer safety and wellness, and bring law enforcement closer to the communities they serve. Created by an Act of Congress in 1984, NLEOMF operates the National Law Enforcement Museum and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. NLEOMF’s mission is to honor fallen law enforcement officers, tell the story of our nation’s law enforcement officers, and make it safer for law enforcement.
“I’m proud to reintroduce bipartisan legislation alongside my colleague, Congressman Panetta, to memorialize and honor our nation’s law enforcement officers,” said Congressman Nehls. “Day in and day out, our nation’s law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities, often without recognition. The National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act will pay tribute to and honor our brave law enforcement officers and bring public awareness to their service and sacrifices. As a former law enforcement officer, I will always back the blue.”
“Law enforcement officers across the nation work hard to protect our communities and serve the public,” said Congressman Panetta. “The bipartisan National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act honors the bravery and sacrifice of those who have fallen in the line of duty by preserving their legacy, commemorating their service, and fostering stronger bonds between law enforcement and the public. This legislation is bipartisanship recognition for the courage and service of law enforcement.”
The National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act is supported by NLEMOF’s board member organizations, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, International Brotherhood of Police Officers, International Union of Police Associations/AFL-CIO, Motorola Solutions, Verizon, National Association of Police Organizations, National Sheriffs’ Associations, COPS, DuPont, National Black Police Association, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Policing Institute, National Troopers Coalition, Police Executive Research Forum, Police Unity Tour, and the United Federation of Police Officers.
“On behalf of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), I want to express our sincere thanks to Congressman Nehls for again taking the lead in authoring the National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act,” said Bill Alexander, the CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “The fact that Congress saw fit to create the National Law Enforcement Memorial and the National Law Enforcement Museum sets a powerful precedent that Congress recognizes the vital importance of our mission. This legislation is a logical next step for Congress to take to ensure that this vital mission continues and that, in these challenging times for law enforcement, the important educational and outreach programs run by NLEOMF and the Museum are expanded and enhanced. This is an important pro-law enforcement bill – one that we strongly endorse and support.”
Original cosponsors of this legislation include Representatives Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Clay Higgins (R-LA-03), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Nancy Mace (R-SC-01), Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), David Valadao (R-CA-22), Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), Brian Babin (R-TX-36), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Mark Amodei (R-NV-02), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02), Randy Weber (R-TX-14), John Moolenaar (R-MI-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02), Sam Graves (R-MO-06), Richard Hudson (R-NC-09), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Nick LaLota (R-NY-01), and Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07).
“This bipartisan bill is about standing with the brave men and women of law enforcement and their families,” said Congressman Costa. “It ensures they have the support, resources, and recognition they deserve—because their sacrifices and dedication to protecting our communities should never be overlooked.”
“Serving as a law enforcement officer is one of the toughest jobs in America,” said Congressman Thanedar. “The recent killing of Detroit Police Officer Cameron Richardson exemplifies the need for increased support for our brave members of law enforcement. By improving public engagement on community policing and supporting professional development for law enforcement, we will be able to create a system that works better for all Americans. I was proud to support this bill last Congress, and I hope to see this critical bill become law as soon as possible.”
“Every day our law enforcement answers the call to serve and keep our communities safe, putting their lives on the line to do so. We must always support their critical work and honor those that give the ultimate sacrifice,” said Congressman Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation would support efforts to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, commemorate their legacies of service and sacrifice, and strengthen officer safety and wellbeing. I remain committed to supporting our law enforcement and the important work they do for Granite Staters.”
“As someone who values the courage and sacrifice of our nation’s law enforcement, I am proud to support this legislation,” said Congressman Valadao. “By investing in programs to honor the fallen, promote officer safety and wellness, and foster stronger connections between law enforcement and the communities they serve, we reaffirm our commitment to the men and women who risk their lives to protect our citizens.”
“Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, and they deserve to be recognized for that sacrifice,” said Congresswoman Craig. “That’s why I’m proud to support this bipartisan bill that provides critical resources to the National Law Enforcement Museum to honor the service of our law enforcement officers and increase awareness of the work they do to protect folks in Minnesota’s Second Congressional District and beyond.”
“The National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act takes meaningful steps to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers,” said Congressman Garbarino. “I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation, which invests in officer safety, wellness, and public education to strengthen the critical bond between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”
“Our law enforcement officers keep us safe and are important contributors to our community through various youth programs and community outreach, and this legislation will help bring them all closer together by increasing the public’s understanding of their role, increasing their support,” said Congressman Bacon. “Housed within the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum, this program will also compile statistics on law enforcement fatalities and injuries and memorialize those who die in in the line of duty.”
“This National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, I am honored to be an original cosponsor of the National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act,” said Congresswoman Fischbach. “In today’s world, it is so important that we in Congress memorialize the heroes who were killed in the line of duty and honor the service of all of America’s law enforcement officers. This bill helps honor these selfless public servants while also providing officer safety and wellness programs for those who continue to serve. We can never fully thank them for all they do to protect their communities, but I am committed to doing all I can to support the men and women in blue.”
Read the bill text HERE.