[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 130 (Friday, September 24, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S7437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRESSIONAL BADGE OF BRAVERY BOARD

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, sometimes all it takes to be a hero is to do 
your job the way you are supposed to do that job.
  A few days after New Year's, a deranged gunman walked into the Lloyd 
D. George Federal building in downtown Las Vegas. In addition to 
housing our Federal courts, it is also the building where my staff 
works, Senator Ensign's staff, and of course many other employees of 
the people of the State of Nevada.
  Court security Officer Stanley Cooper and Deputy U.S. Marshal Richard 
J. Gardner--everyone calls him Joe--were on duty that day. They were 
both in the lobby when the gunman got there. Both of them were shot. 
Officer Cooper didn't make it. He died in the line of duty. I met his 
family and spoke at his funeral earlier this year, and I know they 
still miss him every day. Joe Gardner was more fortunate. He returned 
fire on the gunman. He too was hit while protecting the people working 
and visiting the courthouse but he did survive.
  We can never know for sure how many lives were saved because Officer 
Cooper gave his or because U.S. Marshal Gardner put his own life at 
risk. And they can never know how grateful we are for their courage. It 
is hard to explain.
  I am proud to say I have appointed this exemplary Nevadan--U.S. 
Marshal Joe Gardner--to the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of 
Bravery Board. Because if anyone knows what bravery is, it is Joe 
Gardner. Seven Federal law enforcement officers serve on this board for 
2-year terms. I want to express my appreciation to my friend the 
Republican leader, Senator McConnell, for joining me in making sure Joe 
Gardner is one of them. It was an easy choice.
  Too often we take these heroes for granted. We pass them on the 
streets or on our way through an office building's lobby. There are 
precious few like U.S. Marshal Joe Gardner--good men and women who wake 
up every morning, go to work and put everything on the line to protect 
people they do not even know. They will tell you they are just doing 
their jobs, and we should be grateful they are doing their jobs. We 
should fulfill our responsibility just as often--by thanking them every 
single day.
  Mr. President, would the Chair announce morning business now.

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