Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge

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President' s Message....December, 2000

During our first two years in Office, the Executive Board of the State Lodge strived to attain many of the goals we initially set out to do.  Fortunately, our hard work paid off, as the State Lodge did experience much progress and growth during this period of time.  Here is a review of some of these accomplishments:

The foregoing are some of the areas in which we were successful.  All these accomplishments are commendable; however, they are all in the past.  They all occurred yesterday.  
    We must always keep our eye on the fu­ture. We cannot rest on our laurels by being satisfied with what we have already achieved. We must look at not only gaining new initiatives, but also re-visiting those areas where we were not quite as successful. 
    Two areas we would like to see more success is the Legislation dealing with our Cost-of-Living Adjustment (“COLA”), and the Police Officers Bill of Rights.  Despite the fact that we did not attain these two important pieces of Legislation in the past Session, I am confident that law makers from both sides of the aisle will keep an open door and an open-mind when these Bills, once again, come up for consideration.  
    The reason is: I feel these past two years have been productive on Capitol Hill because the State F.O.P. has made a positive impact. Positive in that the F.O.P. was always there to have input or answer any questions concerning the position of Law Enforcement on a particular issue. The F.O.P. was always there to give testimony, even when an issue may not have been popular. The F.O.P. was always there when a lawmaker - any - lawmaker requested us to be there. In addition, we were always there for the Governor…every step of the way, all the way from the time he was first inaugurated until now. 
    My confidence in success is raised also because Representative John Perzel, the House Majority Leader, who was the F.O.P.’s guest presenter during our most recent Awards Ceremony at the Biennial Convention in Lancaster, commented to me, “I never knew.” “I never realized.” These comments came after Representative Perzel witnessed first-hand the brave men and women in blue recognized for their acts of Valor, Bravery and Heroism.  Some Awards were given Posthumously, while other Awards were in absentia because the recipients were still hospitalized in critical condition after losing a limb.  
    Until that point, I don’t believe the Rep­resentative really understood or appreciated the inherent dangers that face Law Enforcement on a daily basis.  Even though the Representative was an Honored Guest, I could feel and see his pride, as it was truly an honor for him to be in the company of the Award recipients.  In the Representative’s address to the Delegation, his comments indicated not only his commitment to Law Enforcement, but also the issues that affect Law Enforcement, such as: the Police Officers Bill of Rights, COLA Legislation, Police Survivor Benefits, Protecting ACT 111, etc.  
    There are other Legislative concerns that the State Lodge will also be pursuing. It’s difficult to prioritize them all in this writing, because the issues are so abundant. However, in early March 2001, every subordinate Lodge may have an opportunity to express the F.O.P.’s priority legislative issues to their own home-town Legislators because that’s when the State Lodge plans to initiate their new “DAY ON THE HILL” Legislative Program.  In short, each Lodge will be notified to send a representative to Harrisburg when the Legislators are in Session.  If the subordinate Lodge participates, that Lodge will have already made prearranged appointments to see their Legislator from their Community. Each Lodge representative will receive instructions, along with a “position paper”, so they may properly articulate the F.O.P.'s position on various Legislative issues.

  Other new initiatives include:  

      “TAMING THE TEAMSTERS”.  We plan to do this with an aggressive program that will allow the F.O.P. to expand its membership and, at the same time, attract Law Enforcement personnel that currently belong to the Teamsters into the F.O.P. by providing an attractive benefit package through our newly formed Labor Council. The Labor Council will give the new members the representation that is necessary for contractual issues. 
    “LABOR COUNCIL” - A Labor Council will be an expansion of our Legal Representation to all local areas.  It is a fee-based program that can provide Police Labor Attorneys with the ability to furnish assistance on such issues as contracts, grievances and other job-related matters.  
    “F.O.P. GRANT PROGRAM” - Our efforts will be to obtain grants that will provide us with the ability to research Law Enforcement issues that directly affect a Police Officers job, as well as their performance. 
    “TRAINING” - One of our goals is to expand the knowledge and expertise of the local Lodges on advanced labor issues. We are striving to provide Labor Training in addition to the current Labor Seminars.  
    “CONTINUING EDUCATION” - We are attempting to have an accredited University recognize the quality of Labor Training provided by the State Lodge at our Labor Seminars. This will be accomplished by providing a University Certificate of Training. The student will also be awarded Continuing Education Units (CEU’s).  
“COLLEGE DEGREE PROGRAM”- A realistic attempt by the Fraternal Order of Police to provide a four-year Degree Program from an accredited University though independent learning. For example: independent learning through the use of a web site, home study, video conferencing and other methodology that may assist Police Officers obtain a degree that cannot attend college in the traditional manner. 
    “MERCHANDISE MARKETING” - To enhance the income of the State Lodge so we may better have the ability to provide additional service and benefits to our members.  
    “SMALL GAMES OF CHANCE” - We’ve obtained a license in our efforts to supply the State Lodge with additional income so we may better have the ability to provide additional service and benefits to our members. 
    “DISCOUNT GROUP RATES OR COU­PONS” - For family fun or use at amusement parks, rental car agencies, hotels, and much more.  
    “POLICE OFFICERS MEMORIAL” - To build a memorial that recognizes the service and sacrifice of the 625 Officers killed in the line-of-duty throughout Pennsylvania. This is still one of the State F.O.P.’s TOP priorities. 

    These are only some of the expanded endeavors that the State Lodge will be undertaking during the next two years.  I’m sure there are many other issues not mentioned, and I’m just as sure there will be many other obstacles that will be confronting the F.O.P. during this same period of time.  
    Through it all, I am confident we would rather experience the good times over the tough times. But no matter what, the F.O.P. will maintain unity of purpose. That, of course, is to promote Fraternalism in the service of our members and also for the good of the order.  
    With that in mind, on behalf of the Executive Board of the Pennsylvania State Lodge, may you and your family enjoy a very Merry Christmas.  May you also enjoy a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

  Fraternally yours,

MICHAEL LUTZ, PRESIDENT

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