[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 77 (Thursday, May 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO POLICE LT. ART BLAKEY

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                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 30, 1996

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share an article that 
appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on May 24, 1996, commemorating 
the heroic actions of Police Lt. Art Blakey in the performance of his 
duty to serve and protect the people of St. Paul.
  Lieutenant Blakey should serve as a reminder to all of us the 
dedication and sacrifice our police officers make everyday on the job. 
These men and women who so valiantly serve our constituents deserve our 
full support and admiration.
  I hope my colleagues will enjoy the following article:

                Neighbors Honor Hero Wounded in Shootout

                            (By Pat Burson)

       Community leaders, law enforcement officers, neighbors and 
     friends called Lt. Art Blakey a hero during a ceremony in his 
     honor Thursday night in the heart of his Summit-University 
     neighborhood in St. Paul.
       It's not just that the off-duty sheriff's deputy was 
     willing to put his life on the line after three masked men 
     barged into a St. Paul VFW post and one began firing shots 
     into the crowd.
       It's also the simple things Blakey does every day.
       ``He's a husband and a father and a grandfather and a long-
     time contributing member to our community,'' said Nathaniel 
     Khaliq, president of the St. Paul NAACP, which helped 
     organized the tribute. ``And in these days of black men being 
     portrayed as being the source of many of society's problems 
     and with many people saying we don't have an adequate number 
     of role models, I think Art Blakey is certainly one we can 
     hold high for others to see.''
       Blakey was wounded in the club shootout, hit in the lower 
     torso by the gunman's bullet. He just returned to work this 
     week.
       The shooting happened April 13, his 24th wedding 
     anniversary.
       He had walked the block from his home to the VFW post and 
     was ordering juice at the back of the room when the masked 
     men entered.
       When one began shooting, Blakey identified himself and 
     ordered the man to drop the weapon. Instead the gunman pulled 
     the trigger, and a bullet pierced the deputy's lower torso. 
     Blakey returned fire, hitting the man twice in the stomach.
       Three suspects have been charged in connection with the 
     incident.
       On Thursday night, Blakey sat in St. Peter Claver Catholic 
     Church with his wife, Carolyn, and family members as about 
     125 well-wishers--including state officials and local 
     politicians, law enforcement officers, local block club 
     members and community leaders--showered him with plaques, 
     flowers, citations and words of praise, gratitude and 
     support.
       Blakey was the first recipient of the Chief's Award for 
     Valor from St. Paul Police Chief William Finney.
       When Blakey's turn came, he thanked a litany of supporters 
     saying he was ``just overwhelmed.''
       And a little unnerved by all the fuss.
       ``I just don't feel like I need to be patted on the back,'' 
     Blakey said later. ``Twenty-seven years ago, I took the oath 
     to serve and protect. I continue to feel that way.''
       Khaliq, St. Paul NAACP president, said people are quick to 
     honor those who die in action, but often forget to show their 
     gratitude when the heroes survive. ``We did this so he can 
     see the appreciation of the community for what he did,'' said 
     Khaliq, ``and the community can see there are Art Blakeys 
     among us that deserve the title of hero.''

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