Pascrell Measure to Honor Law Enforcement Becomes Law

Legislation authorizing the minting of National Law Enforcement Museum coin signed into law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), co-chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, celebrated the signing into law of his National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 1865). Rep. Pascrell’s legislation directs the U.S. Treasury Department to mint and issue up to 1.2 million gold, silver, and copper clad coins celebrating the National Law Enforcement Museum located in Washington, D.C. Proceeds from the sale of the commemorative coins will provide a needed future stream of private funding for the Museum to ensure that it is able to maintain a robust and diverse level of programming.

“After we passed our bulletproof vest legislation into law last year, we’re continuing our commitment with this Christmas present for law enforcement,” said Rep. Pascrell. “I thank my fellow Law Enforcement Caucus co-chair, Rep. John Rutherford, for his efforts to move this legislation forward. Our legislation will extend our shared gratitude for the protectors of our communities and honor the National Law Enforcement Museum, a monument to our nation’s men and women in uniform. God bless them.”

“By signing this bill into law today, President Trump helps tell the story of our law enforcement officers and the work they do on a daily basis to keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Rutherford. “Thank you to Senator Blunt and Senator Coons for their leadership in the Senate and to Congressman Pascrell, my fellow co-chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus, for working with me to introduce and pass this bill in the House. With this new law, the National Law Enforcement Museum and our officers around the country can receive the recognition and support they so deserve.”

“On behalf of everyone at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and Museum, I want to extend my sincere thanks to Congressman Pascrell for authoring this important bill and for his unrelenting efforts to garner overwhelming House support for the bill,” said Marcia Ferranto, C.E.O., National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and Museum on House passage of H.R. 1865. “Congressman Pascrell has been an effective and outspoken champion for the law enforcement community throughout his distinguished career.  For that, we are eternally grateful.  I also want to thank Congressman John Rutherford for co-authoring the bill and his efforts to get it passed in the House.  The National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act will raise private dollars to allow the Museum to expand and enhance its programming for years to come.  This bi-partisan bill will be a significant help in the Museum’s efforts to truly become a Museum without walls — a Museum with impactful programs across the country that will help bring police departments closer to the communities they serve.”

As co-chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, Rep. Pascrell has made federal support for law enforcement a chief priority in Washington. He has led efforts in Congress to protect numerous law enforcement funding streams from sabotage by the Trump administration. Rep. Pascrell was the principal sponsor of H.R. 2379, a congressional reauthorization of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program. On May 24, 2019, his legislation was signed into law, permanently authorizing $30,000,000 annually for the Bulletproof Vest Grant Program.

The National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act has been endorsed by: Concerns of Police Survivors, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, the International Union of Police Associations, the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs’ Association, the National Troopers Coalition, the Police Executive Research Forum, the Police Foundation, the Police Unity Tour, the United Federalist of Police Officers, and the California State Sheriffs Association.

###