[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 82 (Thursday, May 16, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H3848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                     HONORING TROOPER MATTHEW GATTI

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KUSTOFF of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
incredible life of Trooper Matthew Gatti of the Tennessee Highway 
Patrol.
  On May 6, 2019, just a week or so ago, while responding to a call for 
help on Interstate 40 in Tennessee, Trooper Gatti was killed in the 
line of duty.
  Matthew Gatti will be remembered in west Tennessee and in our entire 
Nation as a dedicated public servant, a husband, a son, a brother, and 
a friend to all.
  Although just 24 years old, Trooper Gatti had an incredible, an 
impressive career in public service. He served with the Madison County 
Sheriff's Office in Jackson, Tennessee, and then began working for the 
Tennessee Highway Patrol.
  In addition to serving others, Matthew was passionate about hunting, 
about baseball, about comedy, and he was an active member of his 
church, Gospel Light Baptist Church, in Jackson, Tennessee.
  Trooper Gatti lived a life that very few people have the honor of 
living.
  According to those who knew him the best, Trooper Gatti's willingness 
to serve and his constant sacrifice for others was of second nature to 
him.
  He exemplified duty and service both on and off the clock, and for 
that, I am truly grateful.
  Matthew had a deep love for his church, and his strong faith could be 
seen in everything that he did. His friends described him as a humble 
gentleman who would say or do anything to lift your spirits.
  Matthew leaves behind his loving wife, Anna; his parents, Christopher 
and Christy; his sisters, Hannah and Esther; his brother, Joshua; his 
mother-in-law and father-in-law, Kimberly and Frankie Lax; and his 
grandparents.
  Matthew was a blessing to our community, and his life was a service 
and an inspiration.
  Trooper Gatti died doing what he loved doing: protecting people, 
protecting his community, and protecting the State of Tennessee. And 
although his life on Earth has ended, his legacy will live on.
  My thoughts are with his family, with his friends, and with the men 
and women of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
  I also want to thank all the men and women in uniform who risk their 
lives each and every day to protect all of us for our safety and for 
our betterment.
  Matthew Gatti will never be forgotten.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Green), 
my colleague.
  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Kustoff 
for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, most of us run away from danger, but our law 
enforcement, they run toward it.
  Last Monday, Tennessee State Trooper Matthew Gatti was killed in the 
line of duty responding to a car fire on I-40.
  I had the privilege of knowing this young trooper. Our families were 
dear friends.
  This young man was just 24 years old, but he lived a life of 
exemplary service to us all.
  Matthew's father said that he died doing what he lived for: serving 
God and serving others.
  We honor those who pay the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. We honor 
this young man for his commitment to our safety. We honor his family 
for raising a young man who would serve us all in such a way.

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