Mass. Congressman Capuano Pushes Bill To Create National First Responders Day

BOSTON (AP) — Congressman Michael Capuano is re-filing a bill that would create a legal public holiday known as National First Responders Day.

The Massachusetts Democrat says he has been working closely with the family of Sean Collier, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology officer shot and killed in 2013 by the Boston Marathon attackers.

Capuano says Collier's family members want the public holiday to honor all the men and women who work to save lives. They don't necessarily want the holiday to be tied to the date of the marathon bombing.

Choosing a date for the holiday would be up to the president under the bill.

The family says becoming a first responder is about choosing to dedicate one's life to serving and protecting neighbors, community and, often, complete strangers.