[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 78 (Friday, May 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E577-E578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING NATIONAL CORRECTIONS OFFICERS WEEK

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                           HON. DOUG COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 10, 2019

  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor our 
nation's correctional workers during National Correctional Officers 
Week. Twenty-five years ago this week, President Ronald Reagan issued a 
proclamation designating the first week in May as National Correctional 
Officers Week. He did so ``in recognition of the contributions of 
correctional officers to our Nation.'' I believe it is important to 
continue to recognize the contributions and critical work that 
correctional officers engage in on a daily basis, often risking their 
own safety in the course of carrying out their duties.
  It is estimated there are over 2 million people incarcerated in jails 
and prisons throughout the United States. Correctional officers are 
tasked with keeping these inmates and our communities safe, as well as 
the thousands of staff that support the operation of our detention 
facilities. Correctional officers are an integral part of our criminal 
justice system and play a key role in helping maintain public safety.
  Equally important are correctional officers' interactions with 
prisoners, the vast majority of whom will be released at some point. 
Correctional officers are partners in our efforts to reduce recidivism 
by providing prisoners with the tools and resources that they need to 
succeed once released from custody. Correctional officers are the 
individuals who spend the most time with the prisoner population and 
investing in them so they can help inmates become productive members of 
society is a worthwhile endeavor.
  I wish to take this opportunity to thank the over 400,000 
correctional officers in the United

[[Page E578]]

States for the often-thankless job that they do. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in honoring these key public servants.

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