Vice President Biden Receives Distinguished Service Award From the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Vice President Biden Receives Distinguished Service Award From the National
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Honor recognizes nearly four decades of leadership and support for law
enforcement officers, survivors of the fallen and victims of crime

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition of his steadfast
support for the law enforcement profession over nearly four decades of public
service, Vice President Joe Biden was presented Monday with the National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund's Distinguished Service Award for 2009.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090112/DC57979LOGO)

The Memorial Fund's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award is given
annually to "an individual or organization that has made an exceptional and
lasting contribution to the law enforcement profession." Vice President Biden
received this year's award for his leadership on issues of critical importance
to the law enforcement community, including putting more officers on the
street, reducing violence against women, and protecting and honoring the
nation's officers.

NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd presented the award to the Vice
President during a ceremony at the United States Capitol Visitor Center.
"Throughout his career, Vice President Biden has demonstrated his commitment,
his compassion and his dedication not only to our law enforcement officers,
but also to the survivors of the fallen, to the victims of crime and to all
Americans who yearn to live in safety," Mr. Floyd said.

In selecting Vice President Biden for its Distinguished Service Award, the
NLEOMF cited his role in the passage of a number of key federal laws that
protect both officers and the community. These include the landmark 1994 crime
bill that helped to put 100,000 more police officers on the streets of America
and ushered in the era of community policing; the Violence Against Women Act,
which enhanced the investigation and prosecution of rape and domestic violence
cases and provided new resources for the victims of these crimes; the 1985 ban
on so-called "cop killer bullets" -- ammunition that can pierce the body armor
worn by law enforcement officers; and the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge
of Bravery Act, establishing a Congressionally authorized honor for officers
who display exceptional valor.

While in the Senate, Mr. Biden also supported creation of the National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, authorization for the
National Law Enforcement Museum and enactment of a federal law requiring flags
to be flown at half-staff each May 15, as a show of respect for officers
killed in the line of duty. A champion for the survivors of officers who have
died in the line of duty, he also supported establishment of the Public Safety
Officers Benefits program and has been a strong supporter of Concerns of
Police Survivors, especially its Delaware chapter.

Most recently, Vice President Biden was instrumental in ensuring $4 billion in
economic stimulus funds were directed to law enforcement. The new federal
money has allowed policing agencies to hire new officers and maintain
successful community policing initiatives, and has funded drug courts,
juvenile delinquency prevention programs and other crime control initiatives.

Vice President Biden is the 14th recipient of the NLEOMF's Distinguished
Service Award. The previous awardees are:

-- House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (2008)
-- Cynthia Brown, publisher of "American Police Beat" (2007)
-- President Bill Clinton (2006)
-- Motorola (2005)
-- U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (2004)
-- Police Unity Tour (2003)
-- President George H.W. Bush (2002)
-- United States Mint Police (2001)
-- U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno (2000)
-- John Walsh, host of "America's Most Wanted" (1999)
-- U.S. Representative (ret.) Mario Biaggi (1998)
-- The DuPont Company (1997)

-- U.S. Senator (ret.) Claiborne Pell (1996)

About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Now celebrating its 25th year, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Fund is a private non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the service
and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers and to promoting officer
safety. The NLEOMF maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in
Washington, DC, which contains the names of 18,661 officers who have died in
the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The Memorial Fund is now working to
create the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum, which will tell the
story of law enforcement through high-tech, interactive exhibitions,
historical artifacts and extensive educational programming. For more
information, visit www.LawMemorial.org.

CONTACT: Kevin Morison of National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund,
+1-202-737-7134, kevin@nleomf.org

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link.
Craig W. Floyd
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=38696

SOURCE National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Kevin Morison of National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund,
+1-202-737-7134, kevin@nleomf.org