[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING OFFICER GARLAND C. THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 24, 2009

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to 
honor one of Capitol Hill's most devoted and beloved public servants, 
Officer Garland C. Thompson, who next Tuesday the 30th will serve his 
last day as a Member of the Capitol Police Service.
  Officer Thompson has served this great institution with dignity and 
honor for 34 years, joining the Capitol Police Service on June 9, 1975, 
after working as a fingerprint examiner for the FBI.
  On September 11th Officer Thompson was one of the first Capitol 
Police Officers to act. He witnessed a low flying plane over the 
Capitol, which later was identified as the plane that crashed into the 
Pentagon. From that first instance, Officer Thompson acted quickly and 
assertively, escorting frightened citizens, Members of Congress and 
their families to safe locations. On that devastating day, Officer 
Thompson and his fellow officers put their own lives at risk by forming 
a perimeter around the building, using their bodies as a shield against 
an unpredictable enemy.
  Officer Thompson is a true hero to us all, putting his life on the 
line every day for the last 34 years to protect and defend this great 
institution. Officer Thompson is truly the ``King of Capitol Traffic.''
  Whether it's his friendly smile, trademark slogans, such as 
``Remember Capitol Hill is a law making area, not a law breaking 
area,'' or his guidance and advice he has provided to the thousands of 
visitors that cross his path, we all will sorely miss seeing him every 
day.
  I ask my colleagues to all take this opportunity to thank the Capitol 
Police and specifically Officer Thompson, for his dedicated service. 
Officer Thompson, we will miss you, but we wish you all the best in 
your retirement. Capitol Hill will never be the same without you.

                          ____________________