Garbarino Introduces Resolution In Support of Police Unity Tour During National Police Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 10, 2022 - Today, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (NY-02), introduced a House Resolution expressing support for recognizing the Police Unity Tour. Joining Rep. Garbarino as original cosponsors of the Resolution are New York Representatives Elise Stefanik (NY-21), John Katko (NY-24), Lee Zeldin (NY-01), Chris Jacobs (NY-27), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) along with Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), Michael Guest (MS-03), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), and Don Bacon (NE-02). The introduction of this Resolution comes during National Police Week.
"Our brave men and women of law enforcement put their lives on the line every single day with a simple mission – serve and protect," Rep. Garbarino said. "The Police Unity Tour has a powerful mission to preserve the memory and legacy of law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. We will never be able to repay the sacrifice of the fallen and their families, but we can honor them and that is what every participant of the Police Unity Tour is doing this week. I am proud to introduce this Resolution and I thank my colleagues for joining me in recognizing and supporting the Police Unity Tour during this National Police week."
Since 1997, the Police Unity Tour has organized a four-day bicycle ride from locations across the country to Washington, D.C. to raise public awareness about law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, and to ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten. Each of the nine chapters of the Police Unity Tour hosts a ride with the purpose of raising awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty and raising funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
The New York Chapter 37 of the Police Unity Tour was named in honor of the 37 Port Authority police officers killed in the line of duty on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center. Members of Chapter 37 have a particularly special mission as they begin their tour at the World Trade Center in Manhattan to honor, respect, and remember the officers who lost their lives on 9/11. The last leg of this approximately 300-mile ride ends at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in D.C.
The Resolution is endorsed by several law enforcement groups including the Suffolk County Detectives Association, Suffolk County Police Superior Officers Association, Detectives’ Endowment Association, Nassau County Detectives Association, and Port Authority Police Benevolent Association.
"Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line daily to keep us safe," said Rep. Stefanik. "As many of our police officers raise awareness for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our communities, I am proud to recognize the Police Unity Tour and especially honor the brave members of New York’s law enforcement who gave their lives in the line of duty on September 11, 2001. We must never forget their service."
"As violent crime has risen across the country, police officers have been demoralized and demonized for simply doing their jobs to keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Katko. “The last several years have taken an enormous toll on our law enforcement officers. We have seen that in the increase in retirements and resignations in departments nationwide and even the loss of officers’ lives. Enough is enough. Our law enforcement officers deserve our full respect and support. We will never forget those who lost their lives in the line of duty. I am proud to stand with Rep. Garbarino in honoring the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow Americans."
"The Police Unity Tour does tremendous work each year to honor and remember all our heroic law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty to keep our communities safe," said Rep. Zeldin. "As we ring in National Police Week 2022, I’m proud to join Congressman Garbarino and our colleagues in recognizing this great organization and our law enforcement heroes."
"Every day, our brave law enforcement officers put themselves in harm's way, and some make the ultimate sacrifice," said Rep. Jacobs. "Our families, communities, and country are forever grateful and profoundly humbled by those men and women who answer the call to service. I am proud to join Rep. Garbarino in this effort to honor the Police Unity Tour and the officers who have fallen in the line of duty."
"Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our communities safe," said Rep. Tenney. "While the far-left wants to demonize and defund the police, I am committed to standing in support of law enforcement, including those who have fallen in the line of duty and those who continue to protect our streets. As we approach National Police Week, I am grateful for Congressman Garbarino’s leadership in supporting the Police Unity Tour. I will always back the blue."
"Last year, more police officers were killed in the line of duty than any year since 1995, many in unprovoked or ambush-style attacks," said Rep. Malliotakis. "The ‘Defund the Police’ movement has made our officers less safe, in turn making our communities less safe and decimating officer morale. I proudly join my colleagues in raising public awareness for the safety of our officers and remembering those who’ve sadly made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our streets safe."
"Thousands of brave men and women across the country have sacrificed so much and put their lives at risk every day in service to their communities. I am proud to strongly support Congress taking serious and bipartisan action to keep them safe and well-funded," said Rep. Miller-Meeks. "Police officers are true public servants who deserve our respect, appreciation, and admiration. I am proud to back the blue this week and every week."
"I’m thankful for Congressman Garbarino’s leadership on this legislation to recognize the Police Unity Tour,” said Rep. Guest. “This bike ride is a unique way to raise awareness about the important role our law enforcement officers play in our country and the ultimate sacrifice so many have made in service to our nation. We must always stand with our officers and we must never forget those who gave their lives to protect their communities."
"We must always remember and honor the brave police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty while keeping our communities safe," said Rep. Van Drew. "I am proud to join my colleagues in co-sponsoring this resolution to recognize our nation’s heroes and support this year’s Police Unity Tour."
"To date, 102 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty this year and we must never forget their sacrifice and commitment to duty," said Rep. Bacon. "This National Police Week, I join my colleagues in recognizing and supporting the Police Unity Tour, a 300-mile bicycle ride to bring awareness to those who lost their lives in the line of duty."
Read the full text of the House Resolution Expressing support for recognizing the Police Unity Tour here.
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