Police Week

This week is National Police Week - a time to honor our law enforcement community and remember those officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. (pictured above) displays the names of law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty. Last year I visited the memorial and found the name of Corporal Bryon Dickson of the Pennsylvania State Police. Corporal Dickson was shot and killed in an ambush outside the Blooming Grove Station in Pike County. New to the memorial this year are the names of five Pennsylvania officers that died in the line of duty in 2015. You can see pictures of their names on the memorial here.

Additionally, I personally thanked the National Association of Police Organizations on Thursday afternoon. You can watch those remarks here.

This week, the Senate passed my bipartisan legislation that would make it easier for children of fallen first responders to achieve higher education. I was pleased to work with Senator Bob Casey on this proposal that increases the amount of Pell Grant money available to students who are the children of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS workers, and fire police.

When chaos and destruction come, our first responders run into the breach, risking their own safety in order to save lives. Too often, they make the ultimate sacrifice. We owe our first responders and their families a debt of gratitude we can never repay. I am delighted that the Senate agrees that our bipartisan bill is one small way we can say thank you. The least we can do is help to care for the family that those heroes left behind and ensure their children are able to receive an education.

You can learn more about this bill here.

During my time in the Senate, I make sure to listen to Pennsylvania's veterans when considering policies that affect them. They tell me the transition to civilian life following their service in the military can be more challenging than we know.

As our vets re-enter civilian life, I believe we should do a better job helping them find employment that takes advantage of the leadership and technical skills that come with military service. This week, I introduced a bipartisan bill that would reform our veteran employment programs so state officials, not bureaucrats in Washington, can help focus resources on where they're needed most. It's called the SOLVE Act, and it would give governors more flexibility to decide which state agencies can best coordinate and more efficiently use funds to help veterans find jobs.

Congressman Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. You can learn more about my bipartisan effort to help veterans find jobs here.

Last week, I visited the Opportunity House in Reading, Pa. to learn how the organization helps the homeless population in the community. For more than 30 years, it has continued to expand and serve the Commonwealth. In addition to offering an emergency shelter that served nearly 500 people and approximately 100,000 meals last year, Opportunity House offers a 24/7 childcare and learning center, services from the Berks County Children's Alliance Center, and assistance for our veterans in need.

I was happy to learn about the good work this organization is doing for the Reading community and how I can help to support their important mission.

I sat down with several students from the U.S. Army War College who were in Washington this week as one of their final requirements before graduation. The military officers attending the historic, Carlisle-based school had the chance to speak to elected and appointed policy makers in Washington to discuss various issues, management, and leadership. At our meeting we delved into a debate on the intricacies of the federal budget.

The Army War College is the jewel of the Army post-graduate program and it is right in our own backyard. Less than 10 percent of eligible and promising military officers are selected to attend. The War Collage prepares men and women to assume the most senior commands in the military. Graduates become strategic-level leaders and serve at the highest levels with eagles or stars on their uniforms.