[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 16, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H4007-H4008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MOMENT OF SILENCE IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
(Mr. REICHERT asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Police Week.
Yesterday was National Peace Officers Memorial Day, a day that we stop
and pause
[[Page H4008]]
and honor the fallen officers across this Nation who have given their
lives to protect our families and communities across this great Nation.
Some of you, last year, experienced this bravery and courage
firsthand. All of us were affected by the friends who were present when
they were in danger and our Capitol Police came to their rescue.
As some of you know, I had a 33-year law enforcement career before
coming to Congress. I lost two of my best friends. One was shot and one
was stabbed.
These are brave, courageous people, but they are not only that. They
have been blessed with the heart of a servant. They have been blessed
with that gift to put other's lives before theirs, and that is what you
saw last year, those of you on the baseball field. There was no
hesitation. They were there for you, as were my friends for the
citizens that lived in their patrol district.
Mr. Speaker, I have embraced the families, the friends, the partners,
the children, and the spouses, and there are no words in that moment
when the world is spinning out of control. There are no words when the
world comes crashing down. There are no words. There is only silence
and tears.
Mr. Speaker, this is my last year in Congress. This is my last time
that I will ask you all to join with me in a moment of silence and
tears with the families who have lost their loved ones in the line of
duty.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will Members and all visitors in the gallery
please stand and join us for a moment of silence.
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