[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 82 (Thursday, May 16, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H3913-H3917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  2000
                   COMMEMORATING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2019, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford) is 
recognized for half the remaining time until 10 p.m. as the designee of 
the minority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, this week, thousands of law 
enforcement officers, their families, and their supporters from around 
the country gathered in Washington, D.C., to commemorate National 
Police Week.
  We are here tonight to thank those who put on the uniform every day 
to protect our communities and put their lives in the breach between 
the criminal element and the public they protect.
  We are also here to recognize those who have completed their service 
and now enjoy a well-deserved thank-you for their selfless service to 
their communities.
  But, most importantly, we are here to honor the fallen.
  Last year, 158 police officers gave their last measure of devotion to 
their communities. Among these heroes, you will find every gender, 
every creed, every race, every religion. They hail from every corner of 
America.

[[Page H3914]]

  One of those 158 officers was not only from my district, but served 
at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office with me, where I spent a 41-year 
career.
  Officer Lance Whitaker began his career with the Atlantic Beach 
Police Department and then served 17 dedicated years at Jacksonville 
Sheriff's Office. He was tragically killed while responding to a call 
in the early morning hours of May 15, 2018, almost 1 year ago today.
  He left behind his son, Cade; his mother, Lannie; and his sister, 
Angela. He also left behind a memory and a legacy that will live on in 
the hearts and minds of those who knew him.
  Many of us are here today to honor friends, family, and loved ones 
like Officer Whitaker, who gave his last full measure of devotion to a 
community he loved and a community that loved him back.
  I now ask that we observe a moment of silence for Officer Whitaker 
and all of the 158 brave law enforcement officers who lost their lives 
protecting our community.
  Tonight, Madam Speaker, in a very bipartisan fashion, we will hear 
from Members on both sides of the aisle and from all across the country 
as we join together to show our unity in supporting our police 
officers.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Hill), my friend who is from a law enforcement family and brings a 
strong pro-police voice to Congress.
  Ms. HILL of California. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague 
from Florida for joining forces with me this evening to host this 
bipartisan Special Order hour in honor of National Police Week.
  As you are about to see, supporting our law enforcement is an issue 
that unifies us across geography and political party, bringing together 
diverse perspectives and deep gratitude. I am so proud to rise in 
support of our law enforcement and the professional peace officers who 
work tirelessly every single day for the safety and security of our 
communities.
  I represent California's 25th Congressional District, which is home 
to many of the police officers who serve all of Los Angeles County. My 
community is rooted in service. It is a value that I grew up with, and 
one of the reasons that I chose to serve my community by running for 
office.
  My dad is an Air Force veteran and has spent three decades in law 
enforcement. In fact, he was here with us this week as part of a large 
group from our district who flew out for Police Week.
  As a little girl, I remember what it was like to wonder if my dad 
would make it home at night. I remember being so scared for his life 
because he was on the front lines protecting mine and all of the other 
members of our community. I was proud of him then, and I am proud of 
him now.
  But unlike then, I now have the opportunity to fight for him and the 
men and women serving just like him. Protecting and supporting our law 
enforcement should not be partisan. The speakers joining us today 
demonstrate that we can have meaningful, legislative reform that works 
across the aisle.
  I want to briefly touch on several pieces of legislation that I 
believe will protect and support our police officers, including H.R. 
838, the Threat Assessment, Prevention, and Safety Act, or TAPS, which 
institutes a process that will identify, investigate, assess, and 
mitigate threats before they happen.
  Fighting for law enforcement also means supporting legislation like 
H.R. 2070, the POWER Act, to develop new grants for chemical screening; 
H.R. 1236, the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, to empower police to 
keep guns out of the wrong hands; and H.R. 2379, the Bulletproof Vest 
Partnership, to increase the number of lifesaving bulletproof vests 
accessible to our law enforcement. Through these bills and others in 
development, we can keep our communities and officers safe.
  Most importantly, I am standing here today to honor the life of 
Officer Johnathan Tanner. He is a true public servant from the Antelope 
Valley in my district, who passed away, tragically, at the age of 28 
years old after battling cancer. He will be remembered for his 
steadfast devotion to his community, his church, and his family.
  Officer Tanner proudly served the California Highway Patrol with a 
dedication to the safety of the Antelope Valley. In just his first year 
out of training, he received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award 
for Excellence in removing impaired drivers from the road, and he was 
known for his efforts to build public trust in law enforcement.

  Out of uniform, Officer Tanner served his community by volunteering 
his time at Lancaster Baptist Church, where he was a lifelong member. 
He taught youth ministry classes, coached sports teams, and led a bus 
route that gives children rides to church.
  Officer Tanner leaves behind his wife, Jessie, their two young sons, 
and a baby girl who is expected to arrive later this month. He is also 
survived by his parents, two older brothers, and a younger sister.
  I am proud to have represented Officer Tanner, and I know that his 
loved ones and the community will carry on the legacy of his light in 
the world.
  Today, in honor of Police Week and in honor of all of the members of 
our law enforcement community, I am proud to stand in support of the 
men and women who put their lives on the line every single day like 
Officer Tanner and like my dad.
  Thank you for all you do.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Hill, and I look 
forward to working with her on some of the bills she just highlighted. 
I know that her law enforcement family is proud, so I thank her.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Steil), 
my good friend, who is from Wisconsin's First District.
  Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Mr. Rutherford putting 
together tonight's Special Order.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Racine County Sheriff Deputy Eric 
Schneider for his heroic actions on March 18.
  While on duty, Deputy Schneider rushed to the scene of a house fire. 
He knocked on all of the doors and windows, yelling to see if anyone 
was inside.
  A man came out of the house, but without regard for his own safety, 
Deputy Schneider entered the burning house to check if there were more 
people inside. Risking his life, he found a man who was unconscious. 
Deputy Schneider dragged him out of the house and saved his life.
  Deputy Schneider is a hero. We are fortunate to have brave men and 
women like Deputy Schneider protecting us.
  Madam Speaker, I thank Deputy Schneider. I commend him for his 
actions.
  Madam Speaker, when law enforcement officers put on their uniforms 
and badges, they do not know if they will return home after their 
shift. Their job is dangerous. Too often, they sacrifice their lives to 
strangers.
  Over the past year, Wisconsin has lost three police officers in the 
line of duty. Those heroes died while protecting us from harm.
  We will never forget them. We will not forget their service. We will 
not forget their bravery.
  We remember:
  Officer Charles Irvine, end of watch, June 7, 2018;
  Officer Michael Michalski, end of watch, July 25, 2018; and
  Officer Matthew Rittner, end of watch, February 6, 2019.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman and the great 
State of Wisconsin for their support of law enforcement.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Torres 
Small), a colleague from New Mexico's Second District. She serves on 
the Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security Committee, and, 
actually, after law school, worked for a U.S. district judge in New 
Mexico, so she has got that law enforcement background, also.
  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to join 
my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as Americans to address this 
issue and to recognize National Police Week, to support the brave men 
and women who protect and serve our communities every day, and to honor 
those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
  The work you do is extraordinary, and it makes me proud to be the 
granddaughter of a former Las Cruces police sergeant, Angel Torres. He 
didn't talk much about his work on the beat, but

[[Page H3915]]

throughout my life, I have been stopped by people who have told me the 
difference he made in their life because he showed he cared by holding 
people accountable. He was the true embodiment of what it means to be a 
selfless public servant, just like so many in New Mexico and across the 
country.
  It means something, something I will never fully understand, to know 
that every day you risk your life because of what you do.
  It means something, something I will never understand, to know that 
every day and every time you enforce the law, you could lose your life 
because you signed up to serve.
  As you risk your life to treat people with humanity, dignity, and 
respect, that is superhuman. That is why, during National Police Week 
and every day, we support our law enforcement officers and work to 
ensure they have the resources they need to protect and serve our 
communities.

  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for the kind 
words of support for our law enforcement community, and I thank her for 
her service earlier, as well.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon), my 
good friend from Nebraska's Second District. He serves on our 
Agriculture Committee and Armed Services Committee. He is a retired 
brigadier general and did his deployment in Iraq, and we thank him for 
that service.
  Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Rutherford, a great friend and 
colleague, for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a bipartisan issue that threatens 
the safety of our law enforcement officers and our communities in which 
they serve, and we have a solution for it.
  Enacted in 2004, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, known as 
LEOSA, established clear guidelines allowing experienced retired or 
off-duty officers who maintain proper training to obtain certification 
allowing him or her to carry concealed firearms. The desired purpose 
was to create a shared national policy between States allowing off-duty 
and retired officers to carry their firearms wherever they are, granted 
they are qualified and received appropriate credentials.
  As many of my colleagues know, LEOSA has enjoyed a long history of 
support from both sides of the aisle. When it was first proposed by a 
Republican, LEOSA was cosponsored by more than half of the House.
  Subsequent amendments signed into law in 2010 and 2013 under 
Democratic President Barack Obama expanded LEOSA's coverage to include 
law enforcement officers in most Federal agencies as well as military 
police. In both instances, reforms were sponsored by Democratic 
Senators.

                              {time}  2015

  LEOSA has always been a bipartisan priority because it is a law 
enforcement and public safety issue. It is not a Second Amendment or 
gun rights issue. The same is true about improvements in H.R. 1156, the 
LEOSA Reform Act, which I am sponsoring.
  The LEOSA Reform Act seeks to correct a number of unintended gaps and 
weaknesses in the original LEOSA bill. These gaps and weaknesses are 
not due to intentional restrictions in the original statute. Rather, 
they are areas in which the original statute is silent, resulting in 
conflicting interpretations and unintended restrictions which 
effectively limit the ability of off-duty and retired officers to carry 
their firearms, and we want them to do it in a manner that is safest 
for them and the public.
  This lack of specific language defeats the original intent of the 
law, which is to allow off-duty and retired officers to carry their 
firearms wherever they go. Granted, they have to be qualified and have 
to have received appropriate credentials. That is a given.
  It also created an inconsistent implementation across States, leaving 
many officers to either assume intended risk when carrying in accord 
with LEOSA or decide not to carry at all.
  The LEOSA Reform Act adds specific language to address these 
unintended weaknesses, and in doing so will make existing law stronger 
and more workable for those who seek its benefit while maintaining the 
rigorous standards that currently apply.
  The bill does not put more guns into our communities. Individuals 
affected by this legislation already have the authority to carry 
concealed weapons in most locations. Rather, H.R. 1156 will help ensure 
guns that are already in the hands of trained and certified law 
enforcement officers and retired officers can safely and legally be 
carried wherever they may be.
  In fact, the LEOSA Reform Act will help ensure firearms do not end up 
in the hands of criminals by allowing law enforcement officers and 
retired officers to keep their firearms safely on their person, rather 
than being forced to leave them unattended in vehicles in parking lots 
of locations that are currently restricted from carrying.
  The public's need for rapid intervention by off-duty and retired 
officers is made clear by the recent incident in California, where the 
heroic actions of an off-duty Federal officer who ran and shot at the 
synagogue gunman saved countless lives. It is an example that we see 
repeatedly. With the rise of tragic shootings in our Nation, empowering 
trained professionals to carry will allow them to respond more quickly 
to emergencies and provide years of expertise to these situations.
  I have heard from law enforcement officials throughout Nebraska's 
Second District and the Nation on the importance these changes will 
have on the lives of our community's heroes and their ability to 
protect themselves and others. In fact, the LEOSA Reform Act has been 
endorsed by 20 professional law enforcement organizations whose 
membership, when combined, is representative of well over half of all 
law enforcement in our country.
  On National Police Week, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle to join me in providing greater public safety for law enforcement 
and our communities at home by cosponsoring the LEOSA Reform Act. 
Officer safety and public safety is a bipartisan issue, and together we 
must and can do better.
  Madam Speaker, I will close with this: If I am in a situation where I 
am being victimized, who do I want near me?
  I would love to have a retired or off-duty policeman who is armed, 
and this bill makes that more likely.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I am a proud cosponsor of the 
gentleman's LEOSA bill, and having been a law enforcement officer, I 
understand exactly what the gentleman is trying to accomplish. I 
support him 110 percent in that effort, and I appreciate the words.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. 
Spanberger), who serves on the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture 
Committees. She is also--I think we can say this--a former CIA case 
officer.
  Is it safe to say that now?
  Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I got my deployment declassified. It 
is.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, the gentlewoman's father was a career 
law enforcement officer also.
  Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman so much for the 
opportunity to stand here in solidarity with our colleagues across the 
aisle in honor of Police Week and in honor of our police officers and 
peace officers across this country.
  I rise today to remember the remarkable lives of two Virginia State 
police officers, one from our district in Midlothian and one from 
nearby New Kent County. They were both killed in the line of duty.
  On August 12, 2017, Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke 
M.M. Bates were not responding to an ordinary call. Instead, they were 
flying via helicopter to an event that became infamous as one of the 
darkest days in modern Virginia history.
  Cullen and Bates were en route to Charlottesville to monitor the 
events transpiring around the Unite the Right white nationalist rally. 
Forces of hate had gathered, and law enforcement was called in to help 
end the chaos.
  After police had canceled the event as an unlawful assembly, Cullen 
and Bates were instructed to assist their fellow officers. They were to 
circle over Charlottesville, and their mission was to provide 
surveillance of the violence, restore order, and help the community end 
the nightmare that had transpired. However, mid-flight, their 
helicopter crashed on the outskirts of Charlottesville, and both Cullen 
and Bates were killed in action.
  In the wake of the tragedy and the stress of the Charlottesville 
protests,

[[Page H3916]]

Executive Director Wayne Huggins of the Virginia State Police 
Association said: ``I don't know if State police, in its 85 years, has 
had a more excruciating time.''
  The pain of the families of Lieutenant Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Bates 
is unimaginable, and the loss experienced by the Virginia State Police 
and their fellow brothers and sisters in the law enforcement community 
is still felt to this day.

  This is National Police Week. We remember the brave and dedicated 
service of Lieutenant Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Bates. They died in an 
effort to protect their fellow Virginians, and their sacrifice will 
always be remembered.
  As a former Federal agent, the daughter of a career law enforcement 
officer, and, most respectfully, as a grateful American and Virginian, 
I thank the law enforcement officers and peace officers who dedicate 
their lives to keeping us safe. This week and every week we stand with 
our law enforcement officers, and we will never forget those who laid 
down their lives for their neighbors.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from 
Virginia and just know that our condolences go to those two officers' 
families, those heroes that you lost this last year. God bless.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to introduce the Member from the great 
State of Minnesota's Eighth District, Pete Stauber. He serves on the 
Transportation and Infrastructure and Small Business Committees and was 
a police officer in Duluth, Minnesota, for 23 years. I thank the 
gentleman for his service.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).
  Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Rutherford for 
yielding to me to speak today.
  This week is Police Week, a time to honor our brothers and sisters in 
the blue and brown. Every day law enforcement officers--local, county, 
State, and Federal--walk out of their homes leaving their loved ones 
behind and put their own lives on the line for the safety and security 
of others. They are our last line of defense, the protectors of our 
communities, and I am so honored to have served alongside some of these 
brave men and women.
  As a local law enforcement officer with the Duluth, Minnesota, Police 
Department for 22 years, I have seen and experienced firsthand the 
violence committed against law enforcement officers, those who are only 
there to uphold the law and improve the safety of our communities. That 
is why I have cosponsored legislation like the Thin Blue Line Act and 
the Protect and Serve Act, which hold the perpetrators of these heinous 
crimes accountable.
  So, now, more than ever, we must show our support for our law 
enforcement officers. We must make a commitment to them as they have 
committed to our friends, our families, and our communities. I am happy 
to stand here today with so many of my colleagues to show our support 
for the men and women in the blue and brown. I look forward to working 
with them in the 116th Congress to advance legislation that will 
support them, both when they are in and out of uniform.
  The men and women in law enforcement deserve our respect, our 
admiration, and our prayers and love every single day, 365 days a year, 
24 hours every day.
  I stand before you, Madam Speaker, having done a total of 23 years in 
law enforcement. I can tell you that the men and women whom I served 
alongside with, I would go into any dangerous situation with them. We 
love our law enforcement officers, and we love their families.
  This Congress stands ready to defend them and their needs, their 
requests, and any help they need from this Congress.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I am grateful for the gentleman's 23 
years of service. I know what commitment that is, and God bless him for 
that.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Gottheimer), who is my good friend.
  Josh Gottheimer is from New Jersey's Fifth District who serves on the 
Financial Services Committee and worked in both the public sector as a 
White House speechwriter and in the private industry for Ford and 
Microsoft. I thank the gentleman for being here this evening.
  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Congressman 
Rutherford, my good friend, and Congresswoman Hill of California for 
co-hosting this bipartisan Special Order hour in honor of our law 
enforcement officers. I am proud to serve with you both as a member of 
the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, co-chaired by our friend, 
Congressman Bill Pascrell.
  Madam Speaker, we are here today to commemorate Police Week and to 
honor all the brave law enforcement officers in New Jersey and across 
the country who put their lives on the line every day to protect our 
communities. They get our backs, and we should always get theirs. There 
is nothing partisan about that.
  In 1962 President John F. Kennedy declared May 15 to be Police 
Officers Memorial Day and this week to be Police Week. Established by a 
joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special 
recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives 
in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Already 
this year, 43 police officers have died in the line of duty across the 
United States. We will never forget their bravery, service, and 
sacrifice. May God bless them and their families.
  Madam Speaker, police officers are America's heroes, and I am so 
deeply grateful to all law enforcement officers, Federal, State, and 
local, for what they do day in and day out, especially those in New 
Jersey's Fifth District, my district, and across our State.
  That is why, in Congress, I am committed to fighting for all our 
sworn officers and first responders by making sure that our 
municipalities and police departments have the resources, equipment, 
and training they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. That 
includes critical programs like the COPS and JAG grants, the 
Bulletproof Vest Partnership program, and the Law Enforcement Support 
Office excess equipment program.
  We should also support the Thin Blue Line Act, which was referenced, 
because our officers rely on us to get their backs and to make sure we 
give them the resources they need to protect our families from violent 
crimes, drug trafficking, domestic violence, homegrown terrorism, and 
countless other threats.
  I especially want to recognize all the men and women who took part in 
the annual Police Unity Tour, riding some 300 miles to Washington in 
honor of our fallen officers, and all of New Jersey's finest who are 
here in Washington this week, including friends from the New Jersey 
PBA, the New Jersey State Troopers, the Port Authority PBA, and many, 
many others.
  Just yesterday I was glad to spend some time with my friends, the 
Port Authority Police and members of the Fair Lawn Police Department 
Honor Guard who came to remember those whose names are forever 
inscribed at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial here on the 
Mall. Others from the State PBA and PBA police officers were here this 
week as well. Together we are all fighting to fully fund and 
reauthorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund in memory of the 37 Port 
Authority police officers and countless others whom we lost that day 
and for all the injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors whom we 
must do right by today.
  Madam Speaker, I thank, again, my colleagues across the aisle who 
have the backs of our first responders. But most of all, I am grateful 
for every law enforcement officer for their solemn commitment to 
protect and serve. We live in the greatest country in the world. With 
our brave law enforcement protecting our communities, we are ensuring 
always that our best days are ahead of us.
  God bless our law enforcement officers and first responders, and may 
God bless the United States of America.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New 
Jersey for having the backs of police officers who have our back, and I 
thank the gentleman very much for being here tonight to show that 
support for law enforcement that is so important across the country.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cline). 
Representative Ben Cline serves on the

[[Page H3917]]

House Judiciary and Education and Labor Committees. He is a lawyer and 
serves as an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney and was also chief of 
staff and--I didn't know this--chief of staff for my good friend, Bob 
Goodlatte, who is one of my heroes from Congress.
  Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Rutherford for yielding 
and putting together this event this evening.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the men and women in law 
enforcement who serve our communities, States, and Nation with honor 
and bravery. These are our friends and neighbors who willingly face 
danger in order to protect their fellow man and make our cities better 
places in which to live.
  Just this week in Lynchburg, Virginia, I joined several hundred with 
the police chief, mayor, and members of law enforcement from around the 
region to honor the lives of two law enforcement officers who made the 
ultimate sacrifice in the last year.

                              {time}  2030

  Virginia State Trooper Lucas Dowell, who was shot while serving a 
search warrant, was only 28.
  Winchester Police Department Officer Hunter Edwards, who died in a 
vehicle collision while responding to a fight in Winchester, was only 
30.
  As this week draws to a close, I ask that all Americans remember the 
more than 150 officers this year who died in the line of duty and 
consider the danger that all officers face each day in order to keep 
Americans safe.
  Your lives are a shining example of what is right in our world. By 
getting up each day and donning a uniform and badge, you are making a 
difference in our communities across this great Nation. Every single 
day, you have our gratitude.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia.
  In particular, I want to offer, again, our condolences to those 
officers, those heroes from Virginia, who gave their lives in service.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Representative Clay Higgins 
from the great State of Louisiana, their Third District. He was a 
National Guard military police officer for many years, a SWAT operator. 
I am sure he will have some great words for us.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins).
  Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
American men and women who put on a badge every day, men and women of 
every color and creed, ethnicity, heritage, and background, of varied 
ideology and political affiliation. They are American patriots, one and 
all.
  As a police officer, our job begins with an oath. That oath is not to 
a chief or a sheriff or a marshal. It is to the constitutional 
principles that represent the badges that we wear, badges like this.
  In this body, we stand within the people's House. We serve within the 
parameters of our ability. We wear a small pin upon our lapel to 
designate our status as Congressmen and Congresswomen.
  In humble service and an honor, yes, it is. But forget not, America, 
the men and women in your community, unseen, unheard, far too 
frequently unappreciated and unrecognized, who patrol your streets, 
your neighborhoods, your counties, your States, and the parishes in my 
State of Louisiana.
  For they serve unknowing if they shall return home. They do so 
willingly. They place great faith in their Lord. The Word tells us that 
the Lord is my strength and my shield.
  In many ways, we should recall that this small shield that we wear 
begins with faith, that this Chamber began with faith, and that the 
shield that officers wear from sea to shining sea maintains itself by 
faith.
  This week, we honor the Thin Blue Line. You are known. You are loved. 
You are recognized. We honor you.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the sheriff for allowing me to speak.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from Louisiana 
for all his service those many years.
  I would like to recognize, again, my cohost for tonight, 
Representative Katie Hill. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Hill).
  Ms. HILL of California. Madam Speaker, I wanted to finish out by 
thanking the 2,200 Capitol Police officers here who protect us and the 
3 to 5 million people who visit the U.S. Capitol every single year.
  They do the job that often goes unnoticed, but we are ensured our 
safety and protection, and that of every single person who comes to 
visit us, because of their hard work and service.
  To every single law enforcement professional who dedicates their life 
every single day, we are eternally grateful. I am so proud to be 
working with my colleagues to continue to fight for recognizing our 
officers and to take this forward for many years to come.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, it has been an honor to be here with 
the gentlewoman tonight to recognize our law enforcement community.
  Madam Speaker, I will close with this. It is from Ralph Waldo 
Emerson. He said:

       The purpose in life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, 
     to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some 
     difference that you have lived and lived well.

  Madam Speaker, the 158 lives that we honor tonight, all the thousands 
of law enforcement officers serving this moment, they live well. For 
that, we are grateful.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________