We have stood up for the men of law and order, and we are going to for the next 4 years.

I appeal once again for determined efforts by citizens and public officials everywhere to counter this vicious threat, which by menacing the safety of our peace officers menaces the safety of us all.

We must all stand together to eliminate its vicious threat from our public life; we must not permit the shadow of violence to fall over our country again.

The increase in physical attacks on police officers, and the rise in police killings (up 26 percent last year to 126), must be reversed.

Finally, this Peace Officers Memorial Day, let us deepen our resolve to do a better job of protecting those who risk so much in protecting us.

I JOIN with millions of other grateful Americans in paying tribute to the men and women of the law enforcement profession during Police Week, May 14 to May 20, and in honoring on Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15, the sacrifices of peace officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

The rate of crime in the District of Columbia has been cut in half in the past 3 years.

I applaud the sponsors of National Crime Prevention Week, and urge all Americans to respond to the challenges it offers.

I urge all who use our waterways to acquire those skills essential to their own safety and that of others and to apply them carefully.

By applying new techniques and adding resources, we have been able to halt--and even to reverse--the spiraling crime rate in the District of Columbia.

The Nation owes them its very best efforts to reduce their risks and to improve their working environment.

I renew my pledge to pursue every avenue, use every tool, support any law that holds promise of advancing us in our drive against crime.

I request that State and local governments, the American National Red Cross, the National Fire Waste Council, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, and business, labor, and farm organizations, as well as churches, schools, civic groups, and agencies of public information, cooperate fully in the observance of Fire Prevention Week.

I urge that every man, woman, and child in this great country contribute to the nation-wide effort to strengthen the United States by accepting a personal responsibility in the never-ending campaign to save life and property by preventing destructive fires.

I am particularly disappointed at the failure of many States to establish driver licensing systems worthy of the name.

Yet, when we kill them on the road, or unnecessarily drown them, in accidents that shouldn't happen, we just take it for granted.

No nation can afford this needless peacetime waste of the lives of its citizens in traffic accidents.

The program of highway safety must be expanded and intensified.