H.J.R. 11

1

JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING LAW ENFORCEMENT
2 OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF FIRE
3 2011 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Lee B. Perry
6 Senate Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the citizens of the state of Utah and state
11 and local government entities to recognize May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 . urges the citizens of the state of Utah and state and local government entities to
15 recognize May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, this year and every year
16 hereafter, by appropriate observances honoring the men and women of law
17 enforcement who stood in harms way in defense of the lives, families, communities,
18 property, and rights of the citizens of the state of Utah and the United States of
19 America.
20 Special Clauses:
21 None
22
23 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
24 WHEREAS, in our nation's history, over 18,000 law enforcement officers have been
25 killed in the line of duty;
26 WHEREAS, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers
27 Memorial Day;

28 WHEREAS, in 1994, the United States Congress passed legislation requesting that the
29 President of the United States annually issue a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace
30 Officers Memorial Day;
31 WHEREAS, this designation is made so that on May 15 of each year, the citizens of the
32 United States and the representatives of their government will appropriately honor federal,
33 state, and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty;
34 WHEREAS, for the families of these officers who have paid the ultimate price for their
35 service, there is often very little that can be done to stem the tide of their grief and suffering, or
36 to help them move on with their lives;
37 WHEREAS, the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial now stands on the grounds of the
38 Utah State Capitol to serve as a place of honor, meditation, healing, and memory for the men
39 and women who have died in the line of duty after swearing to defend the constitutions and
40 people of Utah and the United States of America;
41 WHEREAS, the stories of these brave men and women of law enforcement shall never
42 be forgotten, and their sacrifices and their honor shall live on in memory;
43 WHEREAS, Peace Officers Memorial Day is one of only two days during the year
44 when all residents, businesses, and government agencies are required to lower their United
45 States flags, the other day being Memorial Day in commemoration of those who died in
46 military service to their country; and
47 WHEREAS, recognizing Peace Officers Memorial Day with appropriate observances,
48 including flying the flag of the United States at halfstaff, demonstrates that we who remain do
49 not forget those whose futures were forfeited in our service:
50 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
51 urges the citizens of the state of Utah and state and local government entities to recognize
52 Peace Officers Memorial Day, this year and every year hereafter, by appropriate observances
53 honoring the men and women of law enforcement who stood in harms way in defense of the
54 lives, families, communities, property, and rights of the citizens of the state of Utah and the
55 United States of America.
56 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the National
57 Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial Board, the
58 Utah law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, the Utah Peace Officers Association, the Utah

59 Department of Public Safety, and the Utah Highway Patrol.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-12-11 9:17 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel