Did you know more than 100 firefighters are killed in the line of duty every year?

Did you know a law enforcement officer is killed somewhere in America every 53 hours?

Did you know EMS workers have an occupational fatality rate that is comparable with that of firefighters and police?

Every time I hear an ambulance, fire truck or police car with its lights on going to where help is needed, I think about them not having a national day of appreciation.

But we are able to honor TV dinners every March, catfish every June and ice cream every July.

We need to designate a national day in honor of our first responders. This is a simple - yet extremely powerful - gesture that Congress can make to recognize their contributions, sacrifices and dedication to public service.

The First Response Coalition is working to give first responders their national day of recognition by collecting 25,000 signatures on their online petition. Please consider signing this petition by going to www.aliciagraves.com/firstresponders.

Thank you to all first responders!

Alicia Graves
Bloomington City Council candidate