LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION recognizing February 13, 2009, as "Blue Friday"

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in participating in
significant dates of recognition; and
WHEREAS, Albany radio station WGNA has teamed up with the Capital
District Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (COPS) in recog-
nizing February 13, 2009, as "Blue Friday" in honor of all law enforce-
ment officers who have given their lives in the line of duty as well as
all of those who still serve; and
WHEREAS, COPS, organized in 1984 with approximately 110 members, has
grown into a nationwide nonprofit organization with 48 chapters through-
out the United States and an affiliate in the United Kingdom; its
mission is to help rebuild the lives of survivors of law enforcement
officers killed in the line of duty by serving as a clearinghouse for
federal and state benefits, information, and resources that may be
available to surviving families; and
WHEREAS, COPS also provides training to law enforcement agencies on
survivor victimization issues and educates the public of the need to
support the law enforcement profession and its survivors; and
WHEREAS, Each year, between 140 and 160 officers are killed in the
line of duty and their families and co-workers are left to cope with the
tragic loss; and
WHEREAS, Today, COPS membership consists of more than 12,000 families,
including spouses, children, parents, siblings, significant others, and
co-workers of officers killed in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, "Blue Friday" is a reminder to pay tribute to those in the
law enforcement community who have made the ultimate sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, On February 13, 2009, from 5:30 A.M. until 10:00 A.M., WGNA,
DeNooyer Chevrolet, and COPS will be taking a Donation for a Carnation,
selling blue carnations and "Blue Friday" tee shirts at DeNooyer Chevro-
let in Colonie and Pizzeria Uno in Wilton; over 25 agencies will be
represented at the two locations and all proceeds will go directly to
COPS; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York is eternally grateful for the service
of its brave men and women in law enforcement, and applauds the efforts
of COPS to assist the families of those who have made the ultimate
sacrifice; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize February 13, 2009, as "Blue Friday"; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to WGNA and COPS.