Dear Mr. Chairman and Representative Nadler,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to respectfully request that the Committee waive jurisdiction over H.R. 1719, the “Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act,” and allow it to be included in S. 870/H.R. 4090, the “Fire Grants and Safety Act,” which will reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER), and the U.S. Fire Administration.
The ”Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act” has 104 cosponsors and is being led by Representative William J. Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), co-chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus, along with Representatives Carlos A. Gimenez (R-FL), Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA). The legislation would correctly categorize certain fatalities or disabilities from specific cancers as presumed to be caused by a line of duty exposure under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program.
Law enforcement and other public safety officers face not only physical threats, but also unseen or unknown threats when they respond to calls for service in potentially hazardous environments. Public safety officers who are exposed to known carcinogens and who contract cancer that ends their lives or disables them should be considered to have sustained a personal injury in the line of duty for the purposes of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program.
This legislation acknowledges the sacrifice of these officers in service to their communities and ensures that the families of fallen officers receive the benefits to which they are entitled—which is why the measure is poised to be incorporated into a moving legislative vehicle.
On behalf of the more than 373,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I ask that the committee waive its jurisdiction over this bill so that it can be attached to the underlying legislation. If I can provide any additional information about this bill, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President