[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 199 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H6274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING OFFICERS CHRIS OBERHEIM AND JEFFREY CREEL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Mrs. Miller) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, some Members of this body have 
called to defund the police. Sadly, while crime is on the rise, we have 
Democrat Governors across the country who are implementing anti-police 
policies.
  In Illinois, our Governor signed legislation to eliminate bail and 
put offenders right back on the street. He released dangerous inmates 
because of COVID and refuses to work with ICE to deport illegal 
immigrants. The result, as we all know, is that our neighborhoods are 
less safe and the job of law enforcement is more dangerous. People want 
and need police protection. Americans appreciate and support our 
police.
  Tragically, this past year we lost a brave officer from Champaign, 
Illinois. In the line of duty, Officer Chris Oberheim was killed and 
Officer Jeffrey Creel, his partner, was shot three times while 
returning fire. He survived. Like so many law enforcement officers 
around our country, Officer Oberheim and Officer Creel put the people 
of their community first ahead of their own safety.
  Officer Oberheim's life and service will not and should not be 
forgotten. I cannot imagine the loss and the pain that his family 
suffers day by day. They continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
  Misguided policies from ignorant politicians have turned Chicago into 
a war zone and are making our communities less safe. Criminals are 
allowed to steal thousands of dollars of merchandise and many are not 
being charged. Soft-on-crime policies embolden criminals.
  I promise to always back the blue and stand with our police. May God 
bless our law enforcement.

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