[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 82 (Wednesday, May 12, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H2202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
               HONORING MEN AND WOMEN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Steil) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise during National Police Week to 
honor the men and women of the law enforcement community and to condemn 
the ongoing attacks of those members of our law enforcement community.
  In particular, to Wisconsin's law enforcement community, I say: Thank 
you.
  The past year has been particularly tough on our law enforcement 
officers. Just outside the State Capitol of Wisconsin in Madison is the 
Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial.
  Last year, this memorial was vandalized. A criminal took a 
sledgehammer to the granite, which is etched with the names of the men 
and women who died in the line of duty protecting our communities.
  Last week, six more heroes had their names added to the law 
enforcement memorial, but the ceremony was interrupted by antipolice 
protestors. During the prayer, protestors yelled that the deaths of 
these officers, whose names were being etched into the memorial, were 
not a sacrifice.
  Antipolice protestors held up signs with hateful words and disrupted 
a solemn ceremony with vile chants. It was disgusting to see the 
absolute lack of respect and the display of hatred and complete 
ignorance.
  Contrary to the antipolice protestors at the ceremony, these officers 
are heroes. They died protecting us. They died protecting our 
communities.
  Let me tell you about just one of them. Officer John Hetland was one 
of the names added to the Wisconsin memorial this year. He was a 24-
year veteran of the Racine Police Department. Officer Hetland was a 
hero. He made a commitment to serve and protect our communities, 
whether on or off duty. When a local business was being robbed at 
gunpoint, Officer Hetland attempted to stop the suspect. Officer 
Hetland was murdered. He was shot in the chest by this criminal. He 
died protecting our community.
  We have seen antipolice rhetoric go too far. After riots broke out in 
Kenosha, officers from Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Waukesha, and 
Milwaukee Counties and across the State of Wisconsin put their lives on 
the line to defend Kenosha and protect the people in our communities.
  I will never forget hearing those same vulgar chants when criminals 
attacked officers in the streets of Kenosha. As fires were being set 
throughout the city, I remember watching officers duck as Molotov 
cocktails were being thrown at them, as water bottles filled with 
concrete were being thrown at them and hurled in their direction. Even 
as an officer was struck in the head by a brick and knocked 
unconscious, the criminals cheered. That is unbelievable. That is 
heartbreaking.
  Violence towards our police officers is something our Nation cannot 
tolerate. We should collectively speak out against the attacks on our 
police and against the calls to defund the police. We should be 
supporting our men and women in law enforcement.
  To the members of the law enforcement community, I want you to know 
this: The people of Wisconsin's First Congressional District say: Thank 
you; thank you for keeping us safe.

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