First Responders Praise Murphy’s Bill To Honor Slain Philadelphia Officer Daniel Faulkner and Provide College Tuition Assistance to Children of Public Safety Officials Killed in Line of Duty

(Philadelphia, PA) – On May 14, 2010, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) joined representatives from the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Firefighters to announce House passage of his bill, the Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act. The legislation provides college tuition assistance for the children of firefighters, police officers and EMS workers killed in the line of duty.

“I’m proud that Democrats and Republicans came together to support this legislation and take a small, but important, step for the families of the brave men and women who keep us safe,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy.

“Our cops, firefighters, and EMS workers are heroes who put their lives on the line each day to keep our families safe,” said Bucks County Police Lodge #53 President Glen Golembeski. “They deserve to know their children are taken care of should the unthinkable happen.”

The bill is named in honor of Officer Daniel Faulkner, who was murdered at the age of 25 on duty in Center City in 1981. Rep. Murphy, whose father served on the Philadelphia Police Force for 22 years, added that it was Daniel Faulkner’s example of service, valor, and dedication that inspired him to introduce the legislation.

“Congressman Murphy has been a tireless advocate for the men and women who keep our communities safe,” said John McNesby, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5, “and I can think of no better way to honor the memory of Officer Faulkner than with a bill helping children of fallen officers afford college.”

The Congressman’s bill would help make college affordable for children of fallen heroes by providing scholarships to help offset the cost of tuition. Under the bill, if a child of one of these fallen heroes is eligible for any amount of Pell money, they would become automatically eligible for the maximum Pell Grant available.

The passage of the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives coincides with National Police Week, a time when our nation pauses to honor the police, fire fighters, EMS workers, and first responders who put their lives on the line each and every day to keep us safe. In 2009 alone, 126 law enforcement officers and 90 firefighters across the country were killed in the line of duty.

The announcement was held at the Faulkner Memorial located outside Geno’s Steaks in Philadelphia

For Immediate Release, May 14, 2010
Contact, Sara Schaumburg, (202) 225-4276