It’s time for National First Responder Day

Officer Sean Collier who was killed by the Boston Marathon bombers and A memorial tribute to Sean at MIT where he worked as a campus officer.

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Submitted by Barbara Schwartz,
Houston, Texas.

As a way to honor Officer Sean Collier who was killed on April 18th by those responsible for the tragic bombings at the Boston Marathon, and other first responders who have so selflessly died or been injured on the job, Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA) and Rep. Dan Maffei (D-NY) have filed legislation to establish a legal public holiday to be known as National First Responders Day.

“When Officer Collier’s family first approached us with this request,” noted Congressman Capuano, “they explained that they wanted the legislation to be about all of the men and women who have protected us over the years, not just about what happened in Boston last April.”

First responders put their lives on the line every day. They enter burning buildings, pursue armed suspects and rush into danger without regard for their own safety. Seemingly routine calls can quickly turn dangerous. A simple patrol or a traffic stop can bring great peril.

In a written message released by the Collier family, they write: “The choice to become a first responder is about more than a career path, it is about choosing to dedicate one’s life to serving and protecting neighbors, community, and, often, complete strangers. These professionals and their families make great sacrifices in service to all of us, and National First Responders Day is a small way that we can recognize that. We are grateful to Congressman Capuano and his colleagues in Congress for their support.”

“Every day first responders in Central New York and across the country risk their lives to keep our communities safe, and they deserve a day of recognition to honor their bravery and sacrifice,” added Rep. Maffei. “This bill is one meaningful way we can show our gratitude for their service. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in support of this important legislation.”

“None of us will forget where we were when news of the bombings reached us,” Capuano continued. “We have all been impacted by that act of evil in ways large and small. The families of Officer Sean Collier, Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell and Lu Lingzi lost their loved ones in an unthinkable way. They will always be in our hearts.”