Gov. Wolf signs bill championed by local lawmaker to honor first responders
Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday signed into law a bill that sets aside days to recognize first responders and veterans
Pennsylvania is making a point to celebrate the men and women who protect us.
Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday signed into law a bill that designates Sept. 27 as First Responders Day. It also sets March 6 as Persian Gulf War Veterans Day and Oct. 7 as Global War on Terrorism Veterans Day.
The measure requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation for each of those holidays and encourage public schools and educational institutions to participate in exercises in observance of them.
Local lawmaker Rep. David Maloney championed the effort to recognize first responders.
In a statement, the Pike Township Republican said he has fought for many years to set aside a day in Pennsylvania to honor the men and women who protect, heal and shelter our loved ones in emergencies.
“Nearly all of us have benefited in some way from the courageous service of first responders or we know someone who has,” he said on the House floor just before the bill was passed in that chamber. “Our first responders — our police, fire, emergency medical service and public health personnel — work selflessly on behalf of the people of this commonwealth, regardless of the risk or hazard.”
Maloney pointed out that some of these first responders are volunteers.
“Whether they are paid or not, these men and women choose to do very difficult jobs — jobs most of us shy away from,” he said. “Police officers typically don’t deal with the cream of the crop in our society, and most people don’t slam on their brakes and run into a burning house.”
Maloney said the effort to recognize first responders started a few years ago when he invited Mark Malizzi, the founder of Thunder Outreach Ministries in Douglassville and chaplain of Boyertown Area Fire & Rescue, to deliver the opening prayer in the House. He said that meeting inspired him to think about how people could honor those who risk their lives for others.
He said setting aside a day to remember what they do for our communities is a good start.