[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 69 (Tuesday, May 15, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H2665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NATIONAL POLICE WEEK AND DEPUTY JOHN MECKLENBURG

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Nugent) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in reference to National Police 
Week, which is going on right now.
  In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace 
Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as 
National Police Week. This year's National Police Week is Sunday, May 
13, through Saturday, May 19.
  As George W. Bush once described it:

       Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week pay tribute to 
     the local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers who 
     serve and protect us with courage and dedication. These 
     observances also remind us of the ongoing need to be vigilant 
     against all forms of crime, especially to acts of extreme 
     violence and terrorism.

  On Sunday, May 13, I attended the candlelight vigil for our fallen 
officers from 2011. There were 163 peace officers who sacrificed their 
lives for us in the line of duty. Earlier today, I had the honor of 
attending the 31st National Police Officers Memorial Service right here 
on the front lawn of the Capitol. We honored over 19,000 law 
enforcement officers who have given their lives--the ultimate 
sacrifice--in the line of duty.
  In 2011, 163 police officers gave their lives for this country. So 
far this year, we've lost over 40 officers in the line of duty. On July 
3, 2011--and this is especially close to me--one of those who lost 
their lives was Hernando County Sheriff's Deputy John Mecklenburg, a 
deputy that I actually swore in to serve the citizens of Hernando 
County.
  John died while in pursuit of a suspect and gave his life, and John 
left behind a wife, Penny, and two children. When he left that evening 
to go to work for the midnight shift, he had all expectations of coming 
home. But John gave the ultimate sacrifice for his county, for his 
State, and, ultimately, for his Nation.
  I served as a police officer for 36 years before I came up here. I 
know what it is to go through the grief of losing one of our own. I 
want to thank the Fraternal Order of Police for highlighting this and 
working with the COPS organization to actually pay respect to those who 
have given the ultimate sacrifice.
  We've been blessed in America, and we're protected by people who do 
it because it's the right thing to do, not because they're going to 
make a lot of money. They do it because they truly believe in the 
citizens that they serve. They do it with honor and dignity. And today, 
the President of the United States spoke to all of the survivors and 
police officers and their families that were in attendance on the front 
lawn of the Capitol, rightfully, as he should. We appreciate the 
President coming forward because it means so much to the survivors of a 
law enforcement officer who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
  Once again, we've been blessed, Mr. Speaker, and we owe a debt of 
gratitude to our law enforcement officers who protect us 24 hours a 
day, 7 days a week.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that we also keep our thoughts and prayers, not 
only for the law enforcement officers that are out there today at this 
very minute across the United States putting their lives on the line, 
but also remember those who are serving in harm's way in our military 
who also have given the fullest measure that they can, and that's their 
life, in defense of this country.
  Mr. Speaker, God bless us and God bless America.

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