Congressman Fattah Statement on Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Award

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah, lead Democrat on the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee, thanks the White House for its recognition of Philadelphia's Sgt. Robert Wilson III. Officer Wilson will be the first person from Philadelphia to receive the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor award.

Officer Wilson was killed in line of duty on March 5, 2015.  Last May, Congressman Chaka Fattah offered an amendment during the CJS Appropriations Subcommittee markup to rename the Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement Officer Resilience and Survivability (VALOR) initiative in his honor. The amendment was passed unanimously, and codified by the House in June.

"It is our duty to honor those that protect the lives and wellbeing of America's citizens, "said Congressman Chaka Fattah. "I commend the White House for elevating the memory of Officer Wilson on a national stage.  The loss of a person who embodies such bravery is incomprehensible, but also serves to remind us that we have a responsibility to ensure that assaults on the lives of law enforcement officers do not become common place. "

The VALOR program, part of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, is designed to prevent violence against law enforcement officers and ensure officer resilience and survivability following violent encounters while on duty. The national initiative, unveiled in 2010 by former Attorney General Eric Holder, offers onsite regional trainings, resources, technical assistance, and other support for officers around the country. Congressman Fattah, as champion for the program's renaming, highlighted the program's text and honored the Officer's memory on the House floor. 

Officer Wilson has been posthumously heralded as a hero in Philadelphia as well; the city's Medal of Valor was named in his honor last year.  At his funeral, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Ramsey said he had never witnessed an act of bravery like the one committed by Officer Wilson that day.

www.fattah.house.gov 

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

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http://www.fattah.house.gov