[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 111 (Monday, July 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1082-E1083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               THEY STAND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 11, 2016

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following poem by Albert 
Carey Caswell.

                              They Stand.


IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN AND WOUNDED POLICE OFFICERS OF DALLAS--CORPORAL 
  LORNE AHRENS, OFFICER MICHAEL KROL, SERGEANT MICHAEL SMITH, OFFICER 
               BRENT THOMPSON, OFFICER PATRICK ZAMARRIPA

     They Stand,
     so we can keep
     All our freedoms we so seek
     They Stand to keep the peace
     To serve and protect while all their families weep
     Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers who in freedom do so 
           believe
     All out there on that thin blue line,
     walking out the front door kissing their loved ones goodbye
     Knowing full well that this might be their last time
     They care so very deep,
     as why they wear their hearts out on their sleeves
     Quiet heroes who on the front lines help all of those in need
     As why they care in them believe
     As why it hurts so very bad,
     so very deep
     ``Let not today be like most days''
     stand behind them all in hearts always
     Because, They Stand for what is true
     As why They have devoted their entire life to you
     They need your love and support,
     to help them fight the darkness to thwart
     To serve and protect and never neglect
     To keep you safe without regret
     They swore a sacred oath,
     all in their heroic hues of blue to serve and protect to give 
           the most
     As They fight the darkness when it comes into view
     While, others run away from harm,
     towards the darkness they so swarm
     Brothers and Sisters coming together in a bond so very warm
     Who for each other are willing to die
     Police and First Responders,
     all in this brilliance born ready to lay down their lives
     For heaven holds a place,
     for such selfless and gallant men and women of honor and 
           grace
     As now we see their tears upon their face
     As one They Stand up against this evil to erase
     And Hate Is Hard and it makes me cry.
     When, I see those tears in their loved ones eyes
     Whose, beloved ones will never see another sun rise
     Brothers and Sisters who ask why
     Boys and Girls without Moms and Dads,
     Husbands and Wives who've lose the best friends they ever had
     Mothers and Fathers,
     whose precious Sons and Daughters Gave That Last Full Measure 
           so sad
     But the darkness is no match for the light
     As five new Angels have risen up to heaven this night
     Could you,
     or would you stand?
     To save the life of another woman, child, or man
     All out there on that thin blue line,
     while every day and night it happens all over again
     All across Dallas this night there comes a gentle rain
     As our Lords tears wash down upon their families to remain
     to ease their pain
     Until, up in Heaven they meet again,
     and won't have to cry no more
     Let not us find Hate
     Let us find respect for such men and women of such hearts of 
           grace
     For these are The Stars of Texas,
     who provide the bed of freedom and safety for this great 
           State
     Thank them now,
     please show them how
     how much you care for them who walk on that thin blue who 
           death awaits
     ``United we stand,
     divided we will fall'' ALL LIVES MATTER most of all,
     ``not the color of your skin'' answer Dr. King's clarion call

[[Page E1083]]

     ``Let not today be like most days'' as on bended knee we now 
           so pray
     Let us find peace,
     let us find love,
     let us unite for all of those Who Stand in harm's way above

                          ____________________