Brother of Officer Sean Collier Set to Testify Before Congress Wednesday

WILMINGTON, MA — The brother of MIT Police officer and Wilmington native Sean Collier will take the trip to Washington D.C. Wednesday to testify before Congress in the hopes of creating a National First Responder's Day.

Andrew Collier, a crewman for the Hendricks Motorsports NASCAR team and the brother of Officer Collier, is set to appear before congress on Wednesday, Sept. 28 alongside Congressman Michael Capuano (D-Somerville) to convince lawmakers to create the day in honor of those who put their lives on the line.

"There have been numerous unsuccessful attempts to get Washington to set politics aside and do the right thing," an online petition reads. "Congressman Capuano has reintroduced Andrew and Sean’s legislation, and now is the time for all Americans to come together behind one campaign to create one day for all First Responders. One day of gratitude. One day to call their own."

According to the online petition created to further the efforts, Andrew had appealed to congress shortly after the Boston Marathon Bombings, through Capuano, but the Somerville Democrat's bill did not pass.

MassLive.com reports that the day would not be a paid holiday, but a national day of recognition.

The First Responders Day website includes entry for a petition which includes signatures directly to the online petition platforms Change.org and We The People. The Change.org petition indicates that 7,370 people have signed in support, and the We The People petition indicates that 7,861 people have pledged support. You can support Andrew Collier's efforts by clicking here.

"It takes truly unique and selfless heroes to put their lives on the line every day for people they don’t know," the petition reads

Image via the MIT Police Department