[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 83 (Monday, May 15, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2926-S2928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          National Police Week

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to law enforcement 
officers from Arkansas and all across the country who are called to 
serve and to protect. I am grateful for their dedication and commitment 
because it takes a very special person to put his life on the line 
every day to protect our communities.
  Arkansans are proud of the law enforcement history in our State. In 
my hometown of Fort Smith, AR, the U.S. Marshals Service has a deep-
rooted history that has helped shape our Nation's westward expansion. 
Today, many people in the area find their family roots traced back to a 
U.S. Marshal. As home to the future U.S. Marshals Museum, the community 
and the State have rallied around this proud heritage. The tradition of 
courageous public service is carried on today by the men and women who 
keep communities across the country safe 24 hours a day.
  This week, members from law enforcement agencies from around the 
Nation will join together in Washington to honor their fallen brothers 
and sisters who have died in the line of duty. May 15 marks Peace 
Officers Memorial Day, and this week is recognized as National Police 
Week. We take this opportunity to honor the men and women who have died 
in the line of duty by adding their names to the National Law 
Enforcement Officers Memorial.
  This year, nearly 400 names will be added to the memorial, including 
these Arkansans: Robert Barker, a patrolman for the McCrory Police 
Department, who died while serving the people of Woodruff County on 
September 15, 2016; Corporal Bill Cooper, of the Sebastian County 
Sheriff's Office, who gave his life in the line of duty on August 10, 
2016; and Corrections Officer Lisa Mauldin, who died in service to the 
community on December 18, 2016.
  These Arkansans represent the selfless sacrifice that our law 
enforcement personnel embody. It is the truest testament to the life 
that they chose--to serve their communities.
  I am sad to say that the name of another Arkansas law enforcement 
officer will be carved into the memorial. Yell County Sheriff's Deputy 
Kevin Mainhart was killed in the line of duty last week. He was a 
veteran officer with more than 20 years of serving and protecting 
Arkansas communities. I offer my condolences and my gratitude to his 
family and friends and the law enforcement community as they cope with 
this unspeakable tragedy.
  Our law enforcement officers are true heroes. We recognize, not only 
during this week but all year long, the devotion of the 900,000 law 
enforcement officers whose service each and every day makes our 
communities safer.
  I was proud to recognize the service and sacrifice of these first 
responders and show my support for their commitment to our safety 
during a tour of Arkansas last year that we called Every Second Counts. 
First responders invest so much of their lives in public service that 
one must take the opportunity to commend them for their tireless 
efforts and willingness to serve in a crisis at a moment's notice.
  The role of law enforcement is changing. These men and women perform 
a variety of roles from responding to emergencies to maintaining public 
safety and promoting safety services and programs. In Arkansas, we are 
blessed to have the Criminal Justice Institute, which is a part of the 
University of Arkansas System. It is a resource to police departments 
and sheriffs' offices that provides them with updated training and 
information as they adapt to provide more services to their 
communities.
  As a member of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, I am deeply 
committed to supporting the Criminal Justice Institute and advocating 
for the policies and resources that law enforcement agencies need to 
successfully carry out their missions, as well as honoring those lives 
that are tragically cut short while in the line of duty.

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  That is why I am proud to cosponsor the Honoring Hometown Heroes Act, 
which allows Governors to order the American flag to fly at half-staff 
in recognition of the sacrifice of the first responders who make the 
ultimate sacrifice. The House of Representatives passed similar 
legislation earlier this month, and I am hopeful that it will also have 
the support of this Chamber.
  I thank the law enforcement officers in Arkansas and across the 
country who dedicate their lives to protecting our children and 
communities and seek to bring criminals to justice. These heroes come 
to our rescue when we need help, and I am committed to continuing to 
advocate for these officers.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Ernst). The majority whip.
  Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, this is National Police Week--a time 
each year when we remember and honor those who have fallen in the line 
of duty.
  There are more than 900,000 law enforcement officers serving in our 
country, and tragically every year dozens lose their lives defending 
our communities and our freedoms.
  This year, as part of National Police Week, I am so thankful that 
Javier Vega, Jr., one of Texas's own, was honored at the National Law 
Enforcement Officer Memorial over the weekend, right here in 
Washington, DC. Just a few hours ago, I had the honor of meeting his 
family--his wife, his children, and his parents--along with several of 
his friends whom he served alongside in the U.S. Border Patrol.
  They know, all too well, the high cost paid by our law enforcement 
officers who put themselves at risk every day. Javier--who was known by 
his close family and friends as Harvey--grew up in La Feria, TX, a 
small town in South Texas. He was a man known for putting others before 
himself--someone who would always serve rather than be served.
  That desire turned first into a military career. He enlisted in the 
Marine Corps right out of high school, and later he put himself through 
college. Then he decided he hadn't done all he wanted to do in public 
service so he joined the Border Patrol, and just like everything else 
he pursued in life, he dedicated himself to tirelessly serving others 
and serving his country.
  Sadly, that service was cut short when he and his family, while out 
on a fishing trip on a Sunday afternoon, were ambushed by two men who 
tried to rob them. The clash turned violent. Javier immediately thought 
of protecting others before himself so he jumped into action to fend 
off the attackers and defend his family.
  Tragically, he was killed by the two men--illegal immigrant criminals 
who had been reportedly deported but managed repeatedly to find their 
way back into the country, even after committing serious crimes. What a 
testament to the great need we have to strengthen our border security 
and justice system to keep us all safe.
  Now, there is no denying that Javier Vega, Jr., was taken from his 
family, his community, and from all of us far too soon. So while we 
consider the fallen this week, like Javier, and their lives of service, 
I hope we can also take time to consider how we can better support and 
serve those who have promised to defend us to the point of risking 
their very lives.
  As we learn from the story of Javier, one obvious way we can do that 
is by making sure our Federal laws are fully enforced to protect our 
communities from those who would take advantage of our generosity and 
commit violent crimes, even though they are not in the country legally.
  We have a chance to do more for our law enforcement officers, and we 
should always look for ways to do right by them. Now isn't the time to 
look the other way or to pretend that real problems facing our Nation 
and our law enforcement community will simply go away. So during this 
year's National Police Week, I look forward to playing my part to put 
forward policies that better support their mission to defend and 
protect communities all across the country.
  Let me thank the family of Javier Vega, Jr.--particularly his wife, 
his children, and his parents who are here with us today--for letting 
me share his story and honor his service.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. MANCHIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. MANCHIN. Madam President, I rise today to recognize National 
Police Week and the service and sacrifice of our country's law 
enforcement officers. As past Governor of the State of West Virginia, I 
worked with West Virginia State Police very often and saw firsthand 
their dedication to the rule of law and commitment to keeping West 
Virginians safe.
  Last year, the State of West Virginia lost one of our own, West 
Virginia State Police first sergeant Joseph Portaro. Joseph was from 
Clarksburg and joined the State police in 1998 and served in Kingwood. 
In 2008, he was assigned staff officer at the academy and was then 
promoted to deputy director of training. Joseph was a veteran of the 
West Virginia Army National Guard and served in the West Virginia State 
Police for 17 years.
  Although the loss of Joseph will never heal, I know I join all West 
Virginians and the entire law enforcement community in praying for 
Joseph's family and friends.
  National Police Week acknowledges the service and sacrifice of our 
country's law enforcement officers and the safety and protection they 
provide our communities. Madam President, I know you do too. I go to a 
lot of schools and talk to the children. I want them to understand that 
anytime they see a person in uniform, whether it be a policeman, 
fireman, or EMT, these are people willing to get in front of harm's way 
for their safety and sacrifice themselves for them. When you have a 
police officer willing to take a bullet for you, that is a pretty 
special person. They don't do it for the pay. I think we all know that. 
They are dedicated and committed to the well-being and safety of every 
American. We are very lucky to have them in our respective States of 
Iowa and West Virginia.
  This week, we must remember Joseph and the other 139 law enforcement 
officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2016 and continue 
to support their families as they continue to mourn their loss. We can 
never bring back the person who basically sacrificed for all of us, but 
we can make sure we never forget their families, and I hope we all do 
that.
  This is a special week and a special day for these people we 
recognize. One hundred and thirty-nine people gave their lives for us. 
The least we can do is make sure that not only do we remember them but 
that we go beyond that in order to support the members of the family, 
their children who need a father or mother they might not have now, who 
need the nurturing and the financial support for their education so 
they can continue to grow to be good, healthy, productive adults. I 
hope we never forget.
  Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. PORTMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. PORTMAN. Madam President, I rise today in strong support of 
Jeffrey Rosen to be the Deputy Secretary of Transportation. It is my 
understanding that later this evening we will have a vote on that 
nomination. It will be the first of a couple of votes.
  I would just ask my colleagues on the Democratic side and on the 
Republican side to look carefully at his qualifications and to be in a 
position to support this good public servant to be the new deputy at 
Transportation.
  I recall that this body overwhelmingly supported Elaine Chao to be 
the Secretary of Transportation. She is doing a terrific job, in my 
view. She needs help, and she needs a deputy in place. Jeff has gone 
through the proper process. We have had hearings, and he has been voted 
on in committee. It is time to get him there to help Secretary Chao to 
be able to have her team in place and accomplish the goals that so many 
of us share.

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  Jeffrey is a graduate of Northwestern University and Harvard Law 
School. Here in DC, where there are lots of lawyers, he is one of the 
most respected ones. He has 30 years of experience handling very 
complicated, high-stakes cases. He has litigated in more than 20 
States. He has been in just about every setting imaginable: jury 
trials, bench trials, arbitrations, appellate arguments--on every 
topic--contracts, antitrust, securities, business torts, enforcement 
actions, product liability, and class actions. You name it, and he has 
been involved.
  He has a lot of experience. Maybe particularly relevant to this job 
at Transportation, in 2003 he was unanimously confirmed by this body to 
serve as the Chief Legal Officer at the Department of Transportation. 
There he supervised more than 400 lawyers at the Department of 
Transportation. As the top lawyer there, he wasn't afraid to roll up 
his sleeves and get involved in lots of issues, including policy 
issues. I think the kind of experience he gained there will make him 
very well qualified to serve now as Deputy Secretary of that same 
agency.
  He did such a good job that in 2006 I reached out to him and asked 
him to join my team at the Office of Management and Budget. I wanted 
somebody who was a good lawyer but also someone who could manage well 
and give me good advice, and Jeffrey Rosen was that person. I recruited 
Jeff to serve as general counsel and senior policy advisor at OMB. In 
that role, he was always vigilant about the use of taxpayer dollars, a 
guy who understands those hard-earned dollars need to be stewarded 
properly. He was someone who focused on management in the Department. 
He understood the need for us to ensure that taxpayers are getting the 
best bang for the buck, and, finally, maybe most important, he gave me 
good advice. He was insightful but also honest. I think that kind of 
candid advice is exactly what every Department Secretary or leader 
would want, and that is what he will provide should he become Deputy 
Secretary.
  Since that time, I have stayed up with Jeff. He has continued to give 
me good advice and counsel. He is a guy who is well regarded in the 
legal community here in town and someone who understands how the 
Department of Transportation works and what is needed to ensure that it 
will be successful.
  One thing that Jeff and I have in common is we married way over our 
heads. Kathleen is an Ohioan. She has the Ohio commonsense that makes 
Jeff, in my view, an even better public servant. They have three 
amazing kids--Anne, Sally, and James--and for all of Jeff's personal 
and professional accomplishments, he would be the first to say that his 
greatest pride is in his family--and rightly so, by the way.
  In my view, Jeff has the judgment, he certainly has the experience, 
he has the skills, and he has the right aptitude to be the Deputy 
Secretary of Transportation. He is needed now, and I urge my colleagues 
to vote in favor of the cloture motion today on his nomination and in 
favor of his nomination to ensure we can get him in place to help move 
the Department of Transportation forward.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Daines). The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.