[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 148 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO DALLAS POLICE CHIEF DAVID BROWN
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I want to start today by offering a word
of gratitude to retiring Dallas police chief David Brown, who will
retire from his long career of public service this Tuesday.
Chief Brown became the face of a terrible tragedy that occurred in
Texas a few weeks ago when five police officers were gunned down in
cold blood. Frankly, I had many colleagues and other people whom I have
run into ask me about him because he made such a positive impression
with his calmness under difficult circumstances and his leadership
qualities.
The incident occurred last July when 12 law enforcement officers were
shot, and 5 were killed. I remember attending the memorial service with
President Obama and the First Lady, as well as President George W. Bush
and Laura Bush, and the chief spoke then along with Mayor Rawlings. I
can't tell you how grateful I am that, at a time when people think
Washington has lost its way, we still have strong, articulate,
compassionate leaders like Chief Brown and Mayor Rawlings.
Chief Brown is retiring after 33 years of service to the Dallas
police force. As a result of the attention he got from all of the
publicity surrounding this terrible tragedy in July, the chief became a
little bit of a folk hero, I guess, and people began to listen to what
he had to say about a lot of different things. One of the things he
would like to say is ``Dallas loves.'' He made that a bit of a rallying
cry following the attack. His actions in the aftermath of that tragedy
certainly demonstrated his belief in that statement.
Of course, while many Americans know Chief Brown from his leadership
during the shooting in July, Dallasites have benefited from his service
for a long time. He grew up in Oak Cliff in southwest Dallas and has
been on the Dallas police force for the last 33 years. I know the
people of Dallas will miss his leadership and hearing him sing a little
Stevie Wonder from time to time.
I want to express my gratitude and thanks to Chief Brown and wish him
well in the next chapter of his life.
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