[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 16, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Alabama (Mr. Byrne) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning, during National Police 
Week, to recognize and remember the men and women in blue, who protect 
and serve our local communities each and every day.
  Law enforcement officers leave the safety of their homes each day not 
knowing if they will pass back through their own front doors when their 
day is done. They leave their families behind to ensure the safety of 
our loved ones at schools, in neighborhoods, and on roadways. These 
individuals are true public servants who answer the call and put their 
lives on the line.
  Among their many roles in the community, law enforcement officers 
serve as role models for our children, keep the peace in our 
neighborhoods, direct traffic for football games, and are the first to 
respond when help is needed. Far too often we take their services for 
granted.
  This week, I am proud that the House is taking up a number of 
important bills to support our local law enforcement. From legislation 
to prevent attacks on our officers to providing funding for additional 
resources, we are working to ensure that these dedicated individuals 
have the tools they need to do their jobs and keep us safe.
  See, our law enforcement officers are heroes who put their lives on 
the line each day to keep our citizens from harm's way. National Police 
Week is a time for us to stop and show our appreciation to these heroes 
for all that they do for our communities. Our law enforcement officers 
serve selflessly, facing the many dangers of the job with courage and 
bravery.
  Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity to ride along with members of 
the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office in southwest Alabama. It was an 
eye-opening experience.
  At every single traffic stop, the deputies had no idea what to 
expect. Every call was different, but each one came with an inherent 
risk of the unknown. Despite the uncertainty, the deputies always 
conducted themselves with respect and professionalism.
  Whether it is a routine traffic stop or responding to a domestic 
call, these officers have no idea how their encounters will turn out. 
There is always the risk their interaction on the job can turn hostile 
and, in some cases, even deadly.
  National Police Week is also an opportunity to honor the heroes who 
have lost their lives while serving our communities. In 2017, 136 
officers were killed in the line of duty. Already this year, 54 
officers have lost their lives while serving our communities. Sadly, 
one of these deaths occurred in my home State of Alabama earlier this 
year.
  Mobile Police Officer Justin Billa paid the ultimate sacrifice when 
he was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call on 
February 20. At just 27 years old, Officer Billa left behind a loving 
wife, Erin, and a 1-year-old son, Taylor.
  In such a time of immense grief, we saw the city of Mobile rally 
together to support the family and friends of fallen Officer Billa. You 
see, these officers are much more than enforcers of the law; they are 
an integral part of the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I loved seeing the community wrap Officer Billa's family 
up in a shield of prayer and love, but we shouldn't just do that when 
we lose an officer, and we shouldn't just do it during National Police 
Week. Each and every day, we should show our deep appreciation to 
members of law enforcement, at every level, who put their lives on the 
line so that we can live in safe communities. May we not forget that we 
get to lay our heads down on our pillows at night feeling safe because 
of the brave men and women out there patrolling the streets.
  Mr. Speaker, as we observe National Police Week, I can think of no 
better way to show appreciation for our men and women in blue than 
encourage every American to take the time to say ``thank you'' to your 
local law enforcement officers. May their sacrifices never be 
forgotten.

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