Dear Mr. Speaker and Representatives Jeffries, Scalise and Clark,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 309, the “National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act.”
The National Law Enforcement Museum at Judiciary Square in Washington, D.C. is dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement by providing visitors a “walk in their shoes” experience. It also provides community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs, all of which supports the American police officer.
This bipartisan legislation directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to award a grant of $6 million over the next seven fiscal years to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), which operates National Law Enforcement Museum. In the event that Congress does not appropriate this amount to the NLEOMF, the legislation also provides the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior the authority to transfer such sums as may be necessary from the National Park Service. We would urge, however, that the bill be amended to make clear that any transferred funds must not come from the budgets of any law enforcement component within the Department.
On behalf of the more than 377,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I urge the House to consider and pass H.R. 309 next week as our nation observes National Police Week. If I can provide any additional information about this issue, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President