Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, criticized presidential candidate John Kerry today for repeatedly missing critical votes on issues important to law enforcement officers.No additional commentary needed...
"It's an old saying, but it's true--actions speak louder than words," Canterbury said. "I don't want a President who would rather give a speech than cast a vote any more than a citizen wants a cop that would rather write a report at the stationhouse than walk a beat."
Canterbury noted that Senator Kerry chose to skip votes on both the "Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act," the most significant expansion of the Public Safety Officers' Benefit program in a generation; and the F.O.P.'s top legislative priority, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act," which exempts active and retired law enforcement officers from State and local prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms.
"When these bills ran into trouble on Capitol Hill and got bogged down in the legislative process, President George W. Bush and his Administration weighed in and because of that, both are law today," Canterbury said. "Senator Kerry was not even in Washington for the final votes. When it came time for action, Senator Kerry showed himself to be nothing more than a man of words."
In addition to missing these two key votes, Senator Kerry also missed an important April vote on a bill to protect the rights of crime victims. The bill, named for five victims of violent crime passed the Senate while Senator Kerry was giving a speech in Houston to celebrate "Earth Day."
"President Bush has never failed to keep his promises to our nation's police officers, and he has always been there when we've needed his help with legislation important to our members," Canterbury said. "That's the kind of leadership that law enforcement officers expect from the President, and that's why we are going to the polls to support President Bush on 2 November."
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Fraternal Order of Police on Kerry
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