Haley Stevens: “we have all been pleased with the recent decline in crime in many areas of the country, and today I am introducing a…”

“we have all been pleased with the recent decline in crime in many areas of the country, and today I am introducing a bill to acknowledge the great commitment and sacrifice public safety officers at every level have made to that decline. From responding to traffic accidents, apprehending violent criminals, fighting fires, combating domestic terrorism, assisting people during natural disasters--not to mention performing the functions many of us take for granted--public safety officers are essential to the well-being and stability of the United States. While public safety accomplishments often go unrecognized, the selfless service of those who work each day to preserve the peace and improve safety in our communities continues. This past year were reminded of the tremendous sacrifices of this American mainstay when Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson gave their lives defending the peace and protecting lives in our nation's Capitol. In fact, since 1988 over 700 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty, another 629 have been killed in duty-related accidents, and over 600,000 have been assaulted. We owe a tremendous debt to these heroes and to their families who have made such a tremendous sacrifice for the rest of us.”