[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF OFFICER ALAN McCOLLUM 

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Cloud) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor and 
to mourn the loss of one of Corpus Christi Police Department's finest, 
Officer Alan McCollum, who was tragically killed in the line of duty.
  President Ronald Reagan once said: ``There can be no more noble 
vocation than the protection of one's fellow citizens.''
  Officer McCollum was a compassionate, devoted, and admired public 
servant who dutifully worked to keep south Texas safe.
  Before serving as a police officer, Officer McCollum served 21 years 
in the U.S. Army, earning the Bronze Star and numerous other accolades. 
Following the Army, his service to others continued by joining the 
Corpus Christi Police Department in 2013, where he was a valued member 
of the Honor Guard and SWAT team.
  Last year, he once again demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice 
his own safety for others by helping push an overturned car back on its 
wheels after it had caught fire, saving the life of the driver.
  On Saturday, Officer McCollum paid the ultimate price, sacrificing 
himself, while upholding the rule of law.
  Scripture tells us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and 
those who are crushed in spirit. Right now, so many of us, in Texas, 
the Corpus Christi Police Department, and the family of Officer 
McCollum, are brokenhearted.
  Our prayers are that his family and friends touched by this tragedy, 
and especially his wife of 12 years, Michelle, and his three daughters, 
Hannah, Carissa, and Liliana, would feel the Lord near them during this 
difficult time. I extend my deepest condolences to them during this 
extremely difficult time.


              Honoring the Service of Officer Michael Love

  Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, this week, I had the opportunity to visit 
Corpus Christi Police Officer Michael Love in the hospital as he 
recovers from injuries he sustained in the line of duty.
  Over the weekend, he was conducting a routine traffic stop when his 
patrol vehicle was struck, pinning him down.
  I had heard from many of his fellow officers of his optimistic and 
indomitable spirit, which I had the opportunity to witness firsthand 
when I visited him and his wife, Lauren, in the hospital. He told me 
that, despite everything he is going through, even knowing the months 
of recovery that lie ahead, he would still sign up to serve our 
community as a Corpus Christi police officer.
  We cannot express our gratitude enough for his sacrifice and his 
bravery.
  We must continue to pray for the safety of all our first responders, 
and support them as they protect us, as well as their families, who 
they hug a little bit tighter every day as they face the dangers that 
lie ahead.
  We are thankful for the loving, brave, and patriotic man that is 
Officer Michael Love, and for those who serve with him.

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