SR198, As Adopted by Senate, September 8, 2016

            Senator Proos offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 198.

            A resolution to declare support for protecting Michigan's heroes and denounce those individuals who target attacks against law enforcement officers.

            Whereas, Law enforcement officers are the guardians of the rights and freedoms of the American people as embodied in the founding principles of our nation; and

            Whereas, The rule of law, social compact, equality, unalienable rights, and limited government are the first principles upon which America was founded and flourishes. The Legislature recognizes that America's first principles are indispensable to the survival of our republic as a free people; and

Whereas, The Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the congressional resolution forwarding the Constitution to the states, Marbury v. Madison, the Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the "I Have a Dream" speech are key documents that embody America’s first principles and have advanced American liberty; and

            Whereas, The Bennington Flag, original Betsy Ross American Flag, current American Flag, Suffragist Flag, Fort Sumter Flag, Gadsden Flag, United States Honor Flag, and Flag of the State of Michigan are fundamental physical symbols of American history and freedom and a daily reminder of our nation's first principles; and

            Whereas, Exceptional, visionary, and indispensable Americans, such as Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, John Adams, John Marshall, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, founded and advanced the United States of America, articulating and defending our first principles; and

            Whereas, Law enforcement officers are charged with the day-to-day enforcement of the constitutional, legal, and social structures that have grown from our first principles to ensure the protection of our freedoms. Each day, law enforcement officers risk making the ultimate sacrifice in order to uphold justice and protect our communities. In situations in which our first principles are challenged, such as the attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11, law enforcement officers are on the front line. Despite the substantial risks they face each and every day, law enforcement officers in Michigan and throughout the United States choose to serve, protect, and safeguard our lives and property; and

Whereas, The contemptible actions of a few have resulted in negativity being directed toward their fellow law enforcement officers and have contributed to an erosion of respect for the authority of these officers throughout our country. In the United States, 123 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2015.  There were 15,725 assaults against law enforcement officers in 2014, resulting in 13,824 injuries. There are over 17,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving in the state of Michigan. We have lost three law enforcement officers in the line of duty in 2016; and

Whereas, Law enforcement officers in a number of states have been targeted solely because of their profession. Recent attacks on police officers in Berrien County as well as Dallas, Texas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, highlight the dangers police officers face in the line of duty; and

Whereas, These crimes against law enforcement officers should be treated accordingly under the law. It is in the public interest that we promote awareness of and respect for the job our public safety officers perform each day.  Protecting Michigan's heroes ensures that our rights and freedoms are protected; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we declare support for protecting Michigan's heroes and denounce those individuals who target attacks against law enforcement officers; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.