WHEREAS, there are approximately 740,000 federal, state and local law enforcement officers that put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of the citizens they serve; and

WHEREAS, more than 62,000 officers are assaulted every year, with approximately 1 in 5 of those assaults resulting in injury; and

WHEREAS, every year officers are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, with 228 officers losing their lives in 2001 alone; and

WHEREAS, public support and awareness is critical to law enforcement’s success in carrying out their mission as peace keepers; and WHEREAS, there is a need to have a dedicated center to provide historical perspective and a repository for research and policy issues; and

WHEREAS, all funds to design, construct, operate and maintain the museum will come from private donations; and

WHEREAS, the leadership of the International Association of Chiefs of Police has already joined the board of directors of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in full support of the museum; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police, duly assembled at its 109th Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, encourages all members to join with the 18 other official law enforcement organizations in taking an active role in promoting the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C., and cooperating with requests for information, special displays, exhibit donations, etc.; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 19,000 members of the association be encouraged to provide financial support to the museum, for the express purpose of construction, operation and maintenance of the facility.