Greta Van Susteren and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Receive Awards from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Excellence in Media and Distinguished Service Awards presented at a Congressional reception

Washington, DC—The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund presented its Excellence in Media Award to FOX News personality Greta Van Susteren and its Distinguished Service Award to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at a Congressional reception at the Rayburn House Office Building.

Memorial Fund Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd welcomed more than a hundred guests in attendance and introduced Jackie Rice, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at Target, the event sponsor. Ms. Rice shared brief remarks and introduced Law Enforcement Caucus Chairs Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), who both shared remarks in support of law enforcement.

2016 Congressional Reception PR

Memorial Fund Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd with Greta Van Susteren (left) and NHTSA Administrator Mark R. Rosekind.

The Memorial Fund’s Excellence in Media Award is presented to individuals or groups within the journalism, news, media and/or entertainment industries who have made an exceptional contribution to the law enforcement profession. Ms. Van Susteren has been a steadfast supporter and advocate of law enforcement. She has more recently devoted a considerable amount of air time on her weekday show On The Record detailing the service and sacrifice law enforcement officers make, and the work they do to keep our communities safe.

Upon receiving the award, Ms. Van Susteren said, “You know, the irony doesn’t escape me that I get an award for doing my job, which every night when I leave I know I’m coming back home. I know that’s not always true for police officers. I’m in an occupation that when there’s trouble, we duck, we run and we talk about it later. Law enforcement … they run toward the danger and put their lives on the line for us. I’ll never forget that.” Ms. Van Susteren commended the hard-working staff at her FOX News On The Record show. “Tonight, in accepting this award, I acknowledge all of law enforcement across the nation and your important work. I get it,” she concluded.

The Memorial Fund’s Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually to an individual or organization that has made an exceptional and lasting contribution to the law enforcement profession. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has led advancements in transportation safety and is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. NHTSA has a strong relationship with law enforcement, working to improve officer safety on the road.

Receiving the award on behalf of NHTSA was Administrator Mark R. Rosekind, who said, “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration touches everybody’s life. Tragically in 2014, there were 32,675 lives lost on our roadways and millions more injured in crashes. We partner with law enforcement across the nation to try and get that number to zero. And that partnership with law enforcement is critical to our life-saving mission.” Administrator Rosekind concluded by sharing, “I can’t tell you how proud I am to partner with the Memorial Fund on a set of programs and activities to help keep you [law enforcement officers] safe. Thank you to the Memorial Fund for this recognition and until we get to zero, not just for everybody but especially for law enforcement, much work is still to be done.”

Each year, the Memorial Fund’s Board of Directors selects award winners who embody leadership and service, and whose contributions have had a positive impact on the law enforcement profession. The organization’s other annual award, its Lifetime Achievement Award was presented on May 12, 2015, at the annual Chairman’s Dinner to longtime Board members Kenneth W. “Kip” Brunk and Michael Muth.

More information about the awards and prior winners can be found on the Memorial Fund’s website at www.LawMemorial.org.