S.C.R. 3

1

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING OBSERVANCE OF
2 PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY
3 2008 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Jon J. Greiner
6 House Sponsor: Richard A. Greenwood
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor urges Utah citizens and
11 government entities to fly the flag of the United States at halfstaff each year on May 15,
12 Peace Officers Memorial Day.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . urges the citizens of the state of Utah and state and local government entities to
16 recognize Peace Officers Memorial Day, this year and every year hereafter, by
17 flying the flag of the United States at halfstaff and by other appropriate observances;
18 and
19 . urges Utahns to remember the sacrifice of Utah peace officers who have been killed
20 or disabled in the line of duty.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
23
24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
25 WHEREAS, in our nation's history, nearly 18,000 law enforcement officers have been
26 killed in the line of duty;
27 WHEREAS, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers

28 Memorial Day;
29 WHEREAS, in 1994, the United States Congress passed legislation requesting that the
30 President of the United States annually issue a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace
31 Officers Memorial Day;
32 WHEREAS, this designation is made so that on May 15 of each year, the citizens of the
33 United States and the representatives of their government will appropriately honor federal,
34 state, and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty;
35 WHEREAS, to achieve this purpose, the proclamation directs that, on May 15, United
36 States Government officials display the flag of the United States at halfstaff on all government
37 buildings;
38 WHEREAS, the proclamation also invites state and local governments and the people
39 of the United States to observe Peace Officers Memorial Day with appropriate ceremonies and
40 activities, including flying the flag of the United States at halfstaff;
41 WHEREAS, Peace Officers Memorial Day is one of only two days during which all
42 residents, businesses, and government agencies are required to lower their United States flags,
43 the other day being Memorial Day in commemoration of those who died in military service to
44 their country;
45 WHEREAS, flying the United States flag at halfstaff on Peace Officers Memorial Day
46 is a reverent reminder of the respect citizens and federal, state, and local governments should
47 show to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice;
48 WHEREAS, flying the United States flag at halfstaff should also encourage citizens and
49 governments to remember the family, friends, and colleagues the honored dead have left
50 behind;
51 WHEREAS, flying the United States flag at halfstaff is also an important reminder of
52 the continued service and sacrifice of the 800,000 law enforcement officers who each day
53 protect the citizens of this nation and safeguard democracy; and
54 WHEREAS, recognizing Peace Officers Memorial Day with appropriate observances,
55 including flying the flag of the United States at halfstaff, demonstrates that we who remain do
56 not forget those whose futures were forfeited in our service:
57 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
58 Governor concurring therein, urge the citizens of the state of Utah and state and local

59 government entities to recognize Peace Officers Memorial Day, this year and every year
60 hereafter, by flying the flag of the United States at halfstaff and by other appropriate
61 observances.
62 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the National
63 Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial Board, the
64 Utah Peace Officers Association, the Utah Department of Public Safety, and the Utah Highway
65 Patrol.




Legislative Review Note
as of 12-18-07 1:43 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel