PAX Centurion - April / June 2016

Page 30 • PAX CENTURION • April-May-June 2016 617-989-BPPA (2772) Heard on the Hill: Lawrence A. Calderone, BPPA Legislative Agent We salute Boston’s own “TOP COPS!” S ince 1994, NAPO has presented the TOP COPSAwards to police officers around the country. They pay tribute to law enforcement officers for actions above and beyond the call of duty during the preceding year. An independent Awards Selection Committee comprised of national law enforcement representatives select one TOP COP case from each of the 50 States and U.S. territories. The top ten cases are selected and those officers receive the TOP COPSAward. In each remaining state, one case is selected for which the officer(s) receive an Honorable Mention award. I’m proud to report that May 12-15, 2016, I was able to accompany some of our members to the TOP COPSAwards inWashington D.C., where they were honored for their bravery and heroism. Boston Police Officers Greg Bowden, James Conley, Brian Johnson, Janet P. Lewis, Dennis Medina, John Moynihan, and Detective Brian Ball were honored by the National Association of Police Officers at their award ceremony on May 14, 2016. Congratulations to all of you!! On Capitol Hill O n May 12, 2016, I was also able to take part in NAPO’s Lobby Day on Capitol Hill. Here, I was able to meet with representatives and talk about Congressional passage the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant ReauthorizationAct (S. 125) on May 10, 2016, which was signed into law on May 16. The BVP Grant Program provides a federal matching grant to pay for 50% of the cost of new body armor for police officers anywhere in the country. Also on May 16th, the President signed into law the Fallen Heroes Flag Act, which will allow members of Congress to deceased public safety officers who died in the line of duty by providing to the family, at their request, a U.S. Capitol-flown flag. The flag will be accompanied by a certificate expressing a message of sympathy signed by either the Speaker of the House or Senate Majority Leader and the Senator or Representative providing the flag. Also on May 12, 2016, NAPO proudly recognized several members of Congress for their work on the behalf of the law enforcement community. Some of these members are: • Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA). Senator Toomey sponsored vital legislation such as the Thin Blue LineAct, the Lifesaving Gear for PoliceAct, and the HERO Benefits ReformAct, just to name a few. Additionally, he has spoken out on the Senate floor in support of law enforcement as the profession continuously gets beat upon. He is a proven champion for officers and the profession. 1 Senator Toomey also recognized the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association in his thank you speech for our letter of support and recognition on his behalf. He stayed at the award ceremony for photo opportunities and spent a few minutes discussing law enforcement issues with myself and members of our leadership. Senator Toomey deserves our support and thanks! • C ongressman Frank LoBiondo (R- NJ). Congressman LoBiondo’s leadership in the House was key to the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act passing and being signed into law. His efforts were also critical to the permanent reauthorization of the ZadrogaAct, which has been vital to NAPO’s efforts to protect and take care of our nation’s 9/11 responders. We appreciate his partnership and commitment to supporting the law enforcement community. 2 • Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY). Senator Schumer’s incredible efforts and work on behalf of 9/11 first responders was essential to the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation ReauthorizationAct at the end of last year. Additionally, he has fought year after year to ensure that the Byrne JAG and COPS hiring grant programs received adequate funding. He is also a stalwart supporter of law enforcement issues as a member of the Judiciary Committee. 3 1,2,3,4,5,6 NAPOWashington Report webpage