[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 185 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H10699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, my first task, a wonderful task, is to 
wish all the men and women of the United States military a happy 
holiday. For your unselfishness in putting on the uniform, without 
question, standing in the gap, protecting the American people, we thank 
you, we thank your families, and we are greatly appreciative.
  We ask you to be safe during this holiday season as you put yourself 
on the front lines of defense.


Recognizing the Service of the United States Capitol Police and Private 
                      First Class Thomas Wisseman

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Let me also rise today, Mr. Speaker, to thank the 
United States Capitol Police, founded in 1828. We know how vital they 
were during the tragedy, horrific incident of 9/11, and, certainly, in 
1998.
  I come in contact with them every day, but I rise today to 
particularly thank an officer and a gentleman. Over the years, after 
initially greeting each other every day, the greeting became a genuine 
friendship of respect and kindness, and even a joke or two.
  I am honored today to recognize one of our first responders, Capitol 
Police Private First Class Tommy Wisseman. Officer Wisseman exemplifies 
a model officer who takes his job very seriously, but finds the time to 
get to know Members of Congress on a more personal level.
  Officer Wisseman has given the Capitol Police 29 years of service, 
all 29 at the Capitol building. He has worked every Presidential 
inauguration since 1989; was the lead officer for the construction of 
the Capitol Visitor Center; one of the head trainers for the Capitol 
Visitor Center officers; received multiple awards and citations.
  He is the father of four daughters, and married to a lovely wife, who 
is with the Capitol Police.
  Let me thank him and salute him as I salute all of the police.
  Mr. Speaker, since 1828, the United States Capitol Police have 
provided protection for our Congress, ensuring a safe and open 
environment to facilitate the legislative process and the security of 
Congressional Members, staff and employees, and visitors and members of 
the public. This protection was magnified in 1998 when a shooter 
entered the Capitol killing Officer Gibson and Officer Chestnut who was 
protecting Majority Whip Tom DeLay and also in 2001 during the 9-11 
attacks when our men and women in uniform literally moved our 
leadership and Members of Congress to safe havens away from the 
Capitol. We are grateful to all of them and the more than 2000 sworn 
and civilian employees who serve and protect the Congress.
  As Members of Congress, we come in contact with Capitol Police every 
day and in the course of our days on this campus and years in Congress 
we get to know many of them on a first name basis. That is the case 
with an officer and a gentleman I have gotten to know and which started 
initially from just a simple greeting to each other. Over the years 
that initial greeting has evolved into a genuine friendship of respect 
and kindness and even a joke or two. I am honored today to recognize 
one of our first responders, Capitol Police, Private First Class Thomas 
Wisseman. Officer Wisseman exemplifies a model officer who takes his 
job very seriously, but finds the time to get to know Members of 
Congress on a more personal level.
  Officer Wisseman has given the Capitol Police 29 years of service--
all 29 at the Capitol Building. He has worked every Presidential 
Inaugural since 1989, was the lead officer for the construction of the 
Capitol Visitors Center, one of the head trainers for Capitol Visitor 
Center officers, and has received multiple awards and citations for his 
leadership and tenure of service. He is the proud father of four 
daughters and is married to his lovely wife Amber who is also a Capitol 
Police officer here at the Capitol.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to recognize our first responders and 
men and women in uniform today. Officer Wissemann is an example of the 
dedicated men and women in uniform.

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