He is the longest-serving U.S. House Representative in Maryland history, having served the 5th Congressional District for 14 terms. Two years ago, he was selected by his colleagues to be Majority Leader – the second highest position in the House. Over the years, he has championed various crime-fighting initiatives that have helped to lower crime rates and enhance officer safety, and he has been a stalwart supporter of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
And now, Steny Hoyer has another accolade to add to his considerable resume: the NLEOMF’s Distinguished Service Award for 2008.
The award, which recognizes individuals or organizations that have made an exceptional and lasting contribution to the law enforcement profession, was presented during the Chairman’s Dinner Monday night in front of more than 100 Memorial Fund board members, staff and top supporters. Majority Leader Hoyer is the 13th recipient of the prestigious award; past awardees have included former presidents, other members of Congress, corporate titans and others.
In accepting the award, Congressman Hoyer said that developing policy and enacting legislation is the easy part of fighting crime, when compared with what America’s law enforcement officers do every day to protect our communities, bring about order and defend our democratic rights and values. “Our nation’s law enforcement officers are the everyday heroes on whom we rely to ensure the protection of our citizens, the safety of our neighborhoods and order in our society,” he said.
NLEOMF Chairman Craig Floyd thanked the Majority Leader for his leadership in support of the Memorial Fund, including the issuance of 140,000 commemorative coins that raised $1.4 million for the long-term maintenance of the Memorial and securing a 2008 federal appropriation to support unexpected utility relocation work associated with the National Law Enforcement Museum.
Beyond those efforts, Mr. Floyd also thanked Congressman Hoyer for being there on behalf of the Memorial Fund and attending so many events in the past. He recalled one Wreathlaying Day ceremony, in particular, when the chaplain who was scheduled to deliver the invocation didn’t show up. Declaring that “anyone can say a prayer,” Congressman Hoyer stepped in and delivered, in Craig’s words, “one of the best invocations we ever had.”
For more information, including past Distinguished Service Award recipients, read the news release.