H.R. 1228, LEO Retirement Pay for DVA Police Officers

I am writing to secure enactment and funding for H.R. 1228, a bill that would end the current, unjust practice of excluding bonafide police officers of the Department of Veteran Affairs, from receiving the retirement and pay provisions of title 5, as is presently accorded to other federal law enforcement officers.

The police officers of the VA, earn their pay serving the public in the same manner as other law enforcement officers, placing their lives in jeopardy each, and every time they proudly don their uniform and badge.

Under the current law, many officers with decades of uniformed police service, will not receive the same treatment as other law enforcement officers do, for the very same hazardous career. This unfairly denies the retirment value these police officers are due, for their extended career in service of their country.

Those who accept the extraordinary demands, hazards, and sacrifices inherent in a police service career, deserve better. We have an obligation to those who make this choice, and to fund their just retirement pay. We have the opportunity to make this change now, given the large budget surpluses.

Please work to ensure our political leadership allocates the necessary funding for H.R. 1228 in the FY 2002 Budget Resolution, and do all you can to assist in the enactment of this important legislation now --- before many more of our dedicated police officers retire, and suffer from this unfair financial practice. It is time now to support this resolution and support those who have been denied equal status under the current pay and retirement law.

I call on you today to recognize the unique and very hazardous work that is performed daily by all Federal Law Enforcement Officers, by bringing fairness to the existing law.

I thank you for your continued support to all of our men and women, serving in the police officer uniform.