FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: KIM SOUCY
May 10, 2001 (202) 842-3560
NATIONAL POLICE GROUP HONORS
TWO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
SENATOR BEN NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL (R-CO) AND REPRESENTATIVE JOEL HEFLEY (R-CO) WINNERS OF
NAPO'S 2001 SENATOR OF THE YEAR AND
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) announced during its 2001 Legal Rights and Legislative Seminar in Washington, D.C., the recipients of its annual Congressional Awards. This year's honorees are Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO) and Representative Joel Hefley (R-CO). Both Members of Congress were chosen for introducing and working to pass legislation to establish a National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C.
In 1999, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO) introduced S. 1428, 'The National Law Enforcement Museum Act,' to establish a National Law Enforcement Museum on Federal land across the street from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Representative Joel Hefley (R-CO) introduced companion legislation in the House, H.R. 2710. The bill was passed by Congress and signed into law on November 8, 2000.
The National Law Enforcement Museum will highlight the proud history of the law enforcement profession and educate the public about the dangers and importance of the job. The museum will also house a research repository that will serve as a clearinghouse for information to promote law enforcement safety. It promises to be the most comprehensive law enforcement museum and research facility in the world.
"The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) thanks Senator Campbell and Congressman Hefley for their commitment to America's law enforcement officers and their families. The National Law Enforcement Museum they have helped to establish will recognize these officers' incredible record of service and sacrifice and will foster a better understanding and appreciation of the law enforcement mission," said Robert T. Scully, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations. "NAPO is proud to present Senator Campbell with the Senator of the Year Award and Congressman Hefley with the Representative of the Year Award," continued Scully.
The presentations will be made at a luncheon taking place today from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Columbia A room of the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. This event is held in conjunction with NAPO's 2001 Legal Rights and Legislative Seminar, taking place May 10-12, 2001, at the Hyatt Regency. Distinguished police, labor and constitutional attorneys, union negotiators and government officials will participate, and topics being discussed during the seminar include:
· DOJ Civil Rights Division policies affecting the police;
· Conflicts between an officer's right to engage in off-duty conduct or employment and departmental efforts to discipline for such activities;
· Labor organizations' responsibilities in representing officers regarding allegations of sexual harassment or gender or racial discrimination;
· Police Officers' Bill of Rights;
· Public Pension Legislation;
· Mandatory Social Security Legislation;
· National Collective Bargaining Rights Legislation;
· COPS Program Reauthorization; and
· Right to Carry Legislation.
NAPO members are also visiting their members of Congress while in Washington to discuss legislative issues concerning law enforcement officers.
The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States that serves to advance the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. Founded in 1978, NAPO now represents more than 4,000 police unions and associations, 230,000 sworn law enforcement officers, 11,000 retired officers and more than 100,000 citizens who share a common dedication to fair and effective crime control and law enforcement.