[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 24 (Monday, February 7, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H1006-H1011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             BACK THE BLUE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 2021, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CAMMACK. 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 subject of this Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to show an army of 
congressional leaders who back the blue. I rise to show our colleagues 
on the other side of the aisle and Americans across the country that we 
won't back down when it comes to supporting our men and women in 
uniform.
  Since my time in Congress began just over 1 year ago, I have made it 
my mission to show not just in words but also in action that our LEOs 
across the country have a thin blue line army that won't back down, 
that won't quit, and that will always have their six.
  Today, we rise to honor the heroes in our midst, the everyday public 
servants who get up daily to don the badge, run into harm's way, moving 
towards danger and working hard to keep us all safe.
  Amid efforts to defund our police, leading to a rise in crime with no 
response from elected officials nationwide or from this administration; 
amid phony bail reform efforts that do nothing to keep dangerous 
criminals behind bars; amid an opioid crisis with record levels of 
drugs pouring into our communities, perpetuated by the crisis at our 
southern border--because we all know that you cannot defend your 
hometowns if you cannot protect the homeland--amid dangerous rhetoric 
spread by the ill-informed; amid increasing levels of vitriol for this 
profession, these real heroes, well, they show up.

                              {time}  2100

  Madam Speaker, I stood on this floor in March of last year as my 
Democrat colleagues passed a bill to defund police. They defunded 
police. Now, that night, I challenged my colleagues across the aisle to 
a ride-along. Not a single one--not one--took me up on my offer.
  Instead, my team and I set out to do the ride-alongs that my 
colleagues would not. And wow, did we learn a lot. Whether it was 
domestic violence, robbery, battery, violent brawls, drunk drivers, 
drug busts--everything in between--these ride-alongs proved it. These 
men and women who wear the badge, they are amazing. They are imperfect 
beings doing the toughest of jobs with the best of intentions. They are 
criticized, demonized, and vilified, and yet, they continue to answer 
the call in the face of it all.
  Madam Speaker, 2021 was the deadliest year on record for members of 
the law enforcement community--the deadliest. Next to me, you see the 
names of all those that we lost. You probably can't see the names very 
well or even care to read them. There is 458 of them--the poster isn't 
even big enough to accommodate all of the names. That is 458 families 
shattered forever. That is 458 departments forever changed. That is 458 
lives lost.
  As the wife of a first responder, I know all too well that feeling of 
twists and turns and pain that comes when a SWAT callout has come out. 
I know what it is like to sit at the kitchen table and wait for the 
call, the text letting me know that the callout is over and that my 
husband is on his way back to the department or to the station.
  I know what it is like, and that is perhaps why I stand here today 
more resolved than ever to stand in defense and in support of those who 
protect and serve every day. To the spouses of our men and women in law 
enforcement, know that you have a friend and sister in this fight. Know 
that your service alongside your partner is just as valuable and 
important to all those across the country. Whether you call yourself a 
deputy or an officer, an LEO spouse or family member, the message is 
simple: My colleagues and I, we see you, we hear you, we support you, 
and we will always have your six.
  To those who seek to divide, defund, and disparage, know that every 
attempt that you make to hurt our LEOs and defund our departments, it 
will only be in vain. Your efforts to make our communities less safe 
will fail. Your efforts to hurt our families will falter. My colleagues 
and I, we will make sure of it.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).
  Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
brave men and women who are serving in law enforcement, who protect our 
communities, and keep our streets safe.
  As a former law enforcement for 23 years, I know the sacrifices made 
by them and their families. Every day, law enforcement officers 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 don't get 
to choose which call for service they go on. The dangers they face 
every day while keeping us safe are all too real.
  Instead of showing gratitude for their service, dedication, and 
sacrifice, far too many people are using defund and disrespect the 
police rhetoric that is leading to violence against the men and women 
in blue and brown. In fact, more police officers have been killed in 
the line of duty under President Biden's leadership than in previous 
years. It is no secret that morale in the law enforcement community is 
low, and many dedicated officers are leaving the force.
  Police departments across the country are struggling to fill 
vacancies and crime rates, which have risen. This is a direct result of 
the demonization and vilification of the profession by some political 
leaders to score political points. The men and women serving in local 
law enforcement deserve our respect and support. They are the last line 
of defense and the protectors of our communities. I am so honored to 
have served alongside some of these brave men and women.
  We must be vocal in expressing our support for our local law 
enforcement during these times. We must make the same commitment to 
them as they have committed to our friends, our families, and our 
communities. It is the least that we can do for them and their 
families. I am happy to stand here today, along with so many of my 
colleagues, to show support.
  Unlike my Democrat colleagues, Republicans don't need election year 
polling to stand with law enforcement who keep our communities safe. 
Minnesotans and all Americans deserve to live in safe communities, and 
I will continue to work to ensure this is our shared reality. We all 
owe them our thanks.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman and my friend and 
colleague from the great State of Minnesota.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin), my 
friend and colleague.
  Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Florida, Mrs. 
Cammack, for having this and honoring law enforcement in this Special 
Order.
  Madam Speaker, the surge and violence across the country and the 
targeted attacks on our brave law enforcement officers are happening 
thanks to the Democrats' relentless calls to defund the police.
  The left has brazenly stripped the police departments of necessary 
funding and enacted new laws that actually ensure that violent 
criminals have the freedom to inflict more harm. To be clear, violent 
criminals are being released on little to no bail only to kill again.

[[Page H1007]]

  This is the Democrats' America. These shameful and purely political 
policies put criminals above law-abiding citizens. Our law enforcement 
officials should be respected and honored for their role in keeping us 
safe.
  Tonight, I want to highlight one such individual, Tyler County 
native, growing up in Spurger, Texas, Texas Ranger, Joe Haralson, from 
my county, Tyler County, Texas.

  Joe was an Army infantryman during the Vietnam war and earned the 
Bronze Star and Air Medal, with Oak Leaf Clusters for both, for his 
heroic service. Less than a year after returning home in Vietnam from 
1971, Joe enrolled himself in the Department of Public Safety's 18-week 
training academy in Austin, Texas. After a decade of hard work as a DPS 
officer, Joe finally received his Texas Ranger badge.
  This year marks Joe's 41st year with the Texas Rangers. He is the 
longest serving Texas Ranger in Texas' illustrious history, and what a 
hero he is. He has served his fellow Texans for more than half a 
century, and his time in law enforcement is nothing short of amazing 
and inspiring.
  Over the decades, Joe has worked on cases involving murders, 
robberies, kidnappings, rapes, and much more. He has seen the face of 
evil countless times, yet is one of the humblest and kindness men that 
you will ever meet.
  It is a privilege to have this American patriot as a friend, share 
his story, express my sincerest gratitude for his devotion to our 
community and to our State of Texas. These are the heroes that radical 
Democrats have abandoned, but I never will.
  God bless you, Joe.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from the great 
State of Texas. I am proud to call him friend. Thank you for honoring 
this incredible patriot.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gimenez), 
my friend and colleague from the Sunshine State.
  Mr. GIMENEZ. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, the woke left have stood idly by as rabid criminals 
have embarked on an all-out assault on our police officers. Rather than 
standing up for the brave men and women of law enforcement--the very 
ones who put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and 
communities safe--they have bent over backwards to the most radical 
fringes of the progressive movement that actively works to defund, 
disarm, and disband our police departments.
  The result? Under Joe Biden's first year as President, police 
officers have seen a historic spike in violent crime against them.
  In 2021 alone, there were 346 officers shot in the line of duty 
resulting in 63 deaths.
  Police officers were victims to 103 ambush-style attacks, which 
increased 115 percent over the prior year.
  The FBI reported a 48.7 increase in 2021 of officers' killings, both 
on-duty and off-duty, totaling 73 deaths from firearms, vehicles, 
knives, and other personal weapons. Believe it or not, those numbers 
represent the highest number of law enforcement officers who were 
intentionally killed since the terror attacks of September 11.
  Last week, House Homeland Security Committee Republicans stood up to 
demand the Department of Justice open a Federal investigation into 
these egregious spikes in crime against our police officers.

                              {time}  2110

  President Biden, his administration, and the Democrats who maintain a 
stranglehold on Congress must find the courage to break with the 
radical liberals who want to defund, disarm, and disband our police and 
show up with unprecedented support for our officers in blue.
  I, for one, am proud to back the blue. Thank you to our officers for 
all the work and your sacrifices. Know that the Republicans in this 
Chamber stand with you and have your back.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from the 
Sunshine State.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko), my 
friend and colleague.
  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my friend and colleague on 
the Homeland Security Committee for holding this important Special 
Order to let law enforcement officers all over the United States know 
this simple truth: We support you, and we have your back.
  For over 20 years, I served as an organized crime prosecutor on the 
Federal level, focusing on narcotics, gang, and corruption 
prosecutions, among many others, in central New York, along the 
southwest border, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, all over the United 
States, and all over the world.
  I worked alongside incredible men and women in law enforcement every 
day. They are some of the most courageous and selfless people I know, 
and they put their lives on the line to protect our communities.
  The officers I have worked with were assaulted. They were shot. Some 
were killed. Yet, time and time again, the officers showed up every day 
to do their jobs and dispatch their duties with honor and dignity, 
despite not being paid anywhere near what they should.
  Unfortunately, our brothers and sisters in law enforcement are 
hurting right now. Violence against law enforcement officers has become 
a troubling pattern across the United States, culminating most recently 
in violent shooting deaths of officers in New York City and Houston. 
Sadly, this violence is part of an upward national trend.
  According to the National Fraternal Order of Police, in 2021, there 
were 346 officers shot in the line of duty, and 103 were ambush-style 
attacks, which increased 115 percent over the prior year. Tragically, 
73 officers were killed. According to the data from the FBI, this 
accounts for a 50 percent increase.
  These grim statistics represent the highest number of law enforcement 
who were intentionally killed since the terror attacks of September 11, 
2001.
  As ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee and chair of the 
American Security Task Force, I have heard directly from law 
enforcement officers about the challenges police departments face as 
crimes continue to rise. I have traveled across the country where the 
effects of the defund the police and go against the police movements 
are at their worst.
  In New York City, for example, the department was cut by close to $1 
billion in 2020. In 2021, it broke the State record for annual 
homicides. They cut cops. They cut shifts. They passed laws in New York 
State that made it very difficult for officers to do their jobs and 
made it very easy for violent criminals to get back on the streets.
  In Portland, Oregon, a center for the defund the police movement, 
homicides are up 530 percent. That was because they cut their police 
department by 10 percent and eliminated the violent crime unit. Of 
course, that is going to happen. The increase in crime, coupled with 
recruitment and retention problems, will only compound the crime 
problems this country is currently facing.
  Instead of vilifying police, let's figure out how to make police 
departments better by investing in them. How can you possibly retrain 
police when you defund them? How can you implement new policies and get 
officers ready for those new policies when you cut their funding? It 
doesn't work.
  Today, we are facing troubling new challenges. Our law enforcement 
officers are being asked to do more with less, and it is putting their 
lives at risk. In addition to their crime-fighting responsibilities, 
our officers are on the front lines, facing the threat of terrorism and 
an unprecedented opioid epidemic.
  Homeland security is being degraded because defunded police and 
vilified police departments do not have sufficient resources for 
counterterrorism operations.
  It takes courage to wear a badge. It takes even more courage to 
respond to an emergency, to engage a suspect, to walk down a dark 
alley, or to confront a terrorist. For law enforcement, that is part of 
their job every single day.
  My committee and the task force are proud to stand with law 
enforcement as they continue to do this honorable work. I will always 
have their backs, and they will always have my thanks and admiration.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, the 
ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Rutherford), my friend and colleague.

[[Page H1008]]

  

  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the men and women in law 
enforcement who risk their lives every day to keep us safe. In return, 
Congress owes it to them to do everything in our power to keep them 
safe.
  As many of you know, I spent over 40 years in law enforcement, 
including 12 years as sheriff of Duval County, Florida. Sadly, some of 
my friends and colleagues paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. 
In fact, our memorial wall is filled with the names of too many good 
police officers who laid down their lives in service to their 
community.
  When you are called to policing, you know the undertaking that you 
are taking is a dangerous job. This growing antipolice rhetoric and 
widespread efforts to defund police departments are leaving officers 
increasingly at risk to attacks, and communities are less safe.
  In 2022, 89 officers around the country lost their lives to gunfire, 
beatings, stabbing, or vehicular assault, officers like Nassau County 
Deputy Joshua Moyers, who was killed last year in an attack while 
conducting a traffic stop in northeast Florida.

  So, what are we doing in Congress to help stop these attacks? I have 
introduced a bipartisan bill called the Protect and Serve Act, which 
would increase penalties for individuals who deliberately target law 
enforcement officers with violence. In 2018, the Protect and Serve Act 
overwhelmingly passed the House 382-35.
  I urge my Democrat colleagues to come back to the table and support 
this important legislation. Police officers' lives depend on it.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Sheriff 
Rutherford.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), a 
champion for our law enforcement.
  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Florida for the 
recognition. She does a great job for the Congress, and we are all so 
grateful to have her here.
  Madam Speaker, this is such an important topic tonight. Ranking 
Member Katko delineated the number of law enforcement jurisdictions who 
have seen funding cut and the unfortunate consequences that occurred on 
the populations that they serve. Did you ever stop to think of what 
would happen if there were just an absolute defunding of the police 
department?
  Well, unfortunately, we only need to look about a hundred years past 
to see such an example. It happened in Boston, Massachusetts, in 
September 1919. The police force was unfunded, and the city was 
unprotected. This was documented in a book by a gentleman named Francis 
Russell. The book is called ``A City in Terror.''
  What was startling to me when I read the book was not that there was 
a gradual descent into lawlessness, but it happened like turning a 
switch. Police were not on the job. The city sunk into chaos--
robberies, beatings, assaults, looting. And it went on for several days 
until the Governor of that State called up the National Guard and 
reasserted authority.
  Who was that Governor? It is kind of a rarity to stop and think about 
it now, but it was a Republican Governor of Massachusetts named Calvin 
Coolidge. It was that activity of restoring order in the city that 
catapulted him to fame and caused him to receive the Vice Presidential 
nomination in the Republican Convention of 1920. And as they say, the 
rest is history.
  Please, let us not forget our history. Defunding the police does not 
lead us to a better place. It does not lead us to a more just and civil 
society. It invites chaos.

                              {time}  2120

  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank Dr. Burgess for his steadfast 
support for law enforcement.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cline), 
who is my friend and a supporter of law enforcement.
  Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me 
and for hosting this Special Order. I would be here to speak in support 
of the men and women in law enforcement regardless.
  Tonight, I come to the House floor to honor two local heroes: 
Officers John Painter and J.J. Jefferson, who were killed in the line 
of duty last week while responding to reports of a suspicious 
individual at nearby Bridgewater College. Their funerals this week will 
be overflowing with members of the community, the campus, law 
enforcement, and members of government and civil officials, all of whom 
loved these two heroes.
  Officer John Painter dedicated his life to public service. Prior to 
becoming a campus police officer at Bridgewater, Painter served in the 
United States Air Force and the Army National Guard. He spent time as a 
deputy sheriff in King George County, and he was a member of the 
Grottoes Police Department for 18 years before retiring as chief in 
2018.
  Painter was known as a loving family man with a great loyalty to his 
friends and community. Those who knew him say that his devotion to 
others could not go unnoticed.
  Like Officer Painter, Officer J.J. Jefferson committed his life to 
protecting and serving others before coming to Bridgewater College in 
2018. Jefferson began his law enforcement career in 1997 as a patrol 
officer with the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office prior to spending 12 
years as national reconnaissance officer in Chantilly, Virginia. 
Jefferson then served as a sergeant with the Shenandoah University 
Department of Public Safety during which time he was awarded the James 
B. Wilkins Award for his proactive security initiatives. A veteran of 
the United States Marine Corps, Jefferson is remembered for his 
boisterous laugh and endearing smile.
  Known as the dynamic duo, the two officers were the closest of 
friends with Officer Painter even serving as the best man at 
Jefferson's wedding.
  Students describe the officers as family and said the pair ``really 
cared about all of us--all of us.''
  Painter and Jefferson made it a point to connect with those they were 
tasked with protecting, embedding themselves into the community by 
eating lunch with students, hanging out with them at campus gathering 
spots, and offering words of wisdom to those they interacted with.
  Officers Jefferson and Painter gave their lives to protect students 
on campus, and our community is forever grateful for their sacrifice. 
Their efforts surely prevented even greater loss of life, and the 
dynamic duo's actions will never be forgotten.
  The Bridgewater community mourns their tragic passing, and our 
prayers remain with their families in this difficult time.
  Tonight, we remember the words in John 15:13: No one has greater love 
than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.
  Rest in peace, Officers Painter and Jefferson.
  God bless.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I yield to my friend and colleague from 
the Sunshine State of Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), who is a champion for 
law enforcement.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the brave men 
and women who serve in law enforcement throughout our great Nation.
  New statistics indicate that intentional killings of law enforcement 
officers in 2021 reached a 20-year high--this is tragic--excluding 9/
11.
  Tragically, two of those officers killed in the line of duty during 
2021 have been my constituents: Deputy Michael Magli of the Pinellas 
County Sheriff's Office and Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen of Tampa 
Police Department. I went to the funeral services of those two heroes 
and shared the anguish of their grieving families and colleagues.
  Additionally, in 2014, Officer Charlie K. Kondek from my hometown of 
Tarpon Springs, Florida, who was part of the Tarpon Springs Police 
Department, was killed in the line of duty.
  These fallen heroes leave behind a distinguished legacy of service 
and sacrifice that deserves to be honored.
  I am proud to cosponsor, along with my great friend, Kat Cammack, 
from Gainesville, Florida--so we are Floridians and Florida Gators--the 
Back the Blue Act and the Protect and Serve Act of 2021. Both of those 
bills will increase the Federal penalties for crimes targeting members 
of the law enforcement community and strengthen funding for programs to 
improve relations

[[Page H1009]]

between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
  Law enforcement agencies around the country have faced undeserved 
political attacks by the defund the police movement. This is 
unacceptable as far as I am concerned. This is a dangerous and 
destructive proposition and has only increased violence.
  We should, in fact, be increasing support and funding for our law 
enforcement. I respect the service and sacrifice of our first 
responders and their families, and I will continue to do everything I 
can to support them.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for having this Special Order 
which is so very important. I appreciate it.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from the freedom 
State, Florida, for his remarks.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost), who 
is the ranking member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and a fellow 
patriot and ardent supporter of law enforcement.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my friend, 
Congresswoman Kat Cammack from Florida, for her organization of this 
Special Order tonight.
  Madam Speaker, I know that these Special Orders go long, and I know 
quite often the person who is sitting in the Speaker's chair quite 
often focuses on whatever is going on on their cell phones, but I 
really hope that you are paying attention tonight because my district 
is right across from yours.

  Last year, two families in my district received the call that every 
law enforcement family just dreads--a call informing them that their 
loved ones will not be returning home.
  On August 4, Brooklyn, Illinois, Police Officer Brian Pierce Jr. was 
deploying spike strips on a bridge during a car chase. He was hit and 
fatally injured by the fleeing vehicle. Brian was only 24 years old.
  On October 26, we lost Pontoon Beach, Illinois, Police Officer Tyler 
Timmins. He was tragically killed while investigating a stolen vehicle 
at a gas station. Tyler was only 36 years old, Madam Speaker, and a 14-
year veteran of the force. He left behind his wife, Linsey, whom he had 
just married 1 month before as well as his daughter, Chloe.
  Sadly, their families are not alone in their pain. In 2021, 73 
officers were killed in the line of duty--the highest number in 26 
years. The liberals at the Federal law level, at the State level, and 
at the local level push to defund police, Madam Speaker. I want you to 
understand that that agenda has made our communities less safe.
  Even in the State of Illinois on a lame-duck session in the middle of 
the night they passed the bill that made it to where we defunded police 
and endangered our police officers. Their rhetoric has emboldened 
criminals, putting our brave officers' lives in danger.
  Despite it all, our police officers continue to show up and run 
towards the danger to protect our communities every day, even if they 
are being shot at.
  Madam Speaker, do you know why this is so personal to me?
  My son-in-law is a deputy sheriff in Jackson County, Illinois.
  This issue is personal to me and my family.
  Why?
  Because I see the crap he sees every day. But I know that he is doing 
it because he cares about those who need help.
  I will always stand for our men and women of law enforcement and will 
do all that I can to ensure they get the support that they deserve. I 
only wish that all of my colleagues would join in with me to do that 
and stop spreading the rhetoric of defunding police.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from the great 
State of Illinois for his impassioned and accurate remarks.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the great State of 
Missouri (Mrs. Hartzler), who is my good friend.
  Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I thank Kat for holding this very 
Special Order tonight.
  I rise today to honor our police officers and to condemn those who 
shamefully unleash defund the police rhetoric into our communities. 
Next to me are the images of nearly 90 police officers who were killed 
in the line of duty just last year.

                              {time}  2130

  There are so many lives lost that I had to make three separate 
posters. These courageous men and women lost their lives by being shot, 
assaulted, stabbed, or hit by cars.
  Sadly, America has seen a 115 percent increase in ambush attacks on 
our police officers. There is no doubt in my mind that liberal hatred 
and vitriol against law enforcement played a role in the uptick of the 
attacks on our officers. It is clear: Rhetoric has consequences.
  The faces on these pages are fathers and mothers, loved ones. One of 
them was a fellow Missourian. Last year, Police Officer Blaize Madrid-
Evans of Independence, Missouri, lost his life while responding to a 
call when a criminal opened fire and killed him. Blaize was only 22 
years old, and he was engaged to be married. He had his whole life 
ahead of him. This is tragic. This is unacceptable. Things must change.
  Our law enforcement officers deserve our respect, support, and 
thanks. Nothing else.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Washington 
(Mr. Newhouse), my friend and colleague, a champion for our law 
enforcement officers.
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I thank Mrs. Cammack very much for 
yielding. I am proud to join my colleagues and rise today in honor of 
the brave men and women in blue who serve and protect us each and every 
day.
  According to new statistics released by the FBI, intentional killings 
of law enforcement in 2021 were the highest in 20 years. Every day 
police officers across central Washington, as well as the United 
States, put on a badge and go to work knowing that they may face 
extremely dangerous situations, exacerbated by significant economic 
uncertainties, open border policies, and the raging opioid crisis.
  We owe a debt of gratitude to these individuals who risk their lives 
to enforce the law and protect our communities. Law enforcement 
officers take time away from their families and their loved ones, often 
without the thanks that they deserve and often putting themselves in 
harm's way.
  Before I highlight some of our officers who are currently serving the 
great State of Washington, I would like to ask for a moment of silence 
for the victims of today's tragic shooting in Richland, Washington, and 
the officers who are currently investigating that incident.
  Trooper David Brandt of the Tri-Cities was selected as the 2020 
Washington State Trooper of the Year. Trooper Brandt not only 
demonstrates a strong commitment to law enforcement, but takes the time 
to personally connect with his community; from reading books to 
schoolchildren to conducting safety classes for women to delivering 
meals to families in need.
  King County Trooper Patoc also goes beyond above and beyond the line 
of duty and just last year saved the life of a man on the brink of 
committing suicide, who is now receiving the critical help that he 
requires.
  These officers are the kinds of heroes that we need, and they deserve 
our utmost support and recognition. I also want to recognize some 
officers whose lives were recently lost.
  In just January of this year, we lost Trooper Robert LaMay of Yakima, 
who served honorably for over two decades. In October of last year, we 
lost Trooper Detective Eric Gunderson of Tacoma in the line of duty. 
These and all of our fallen officers will not be forgotten.
  I want to personally thank the police and sheriff's departments of 
Washington State Patrol, and all of the officers who keep central 
Washington's communities safe. Today and every day we offer our 
appreciation and respect for law enforcement officers across the 
Nation.
  Madam Speaker, I also want to thank Mrs. Cammack, my friend, for 
putting together this Special Order.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Newhouse for his 
comments.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the great State of 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller), a friend and colleague, and a champion for 
our law enforcement.

[[Page H1010]]

  

  Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for 
organizing this Special Order, the important things for which we should 
all be very passionate about.
  Defunding the police is not just a Democrat slogan, it is a dangerous 
policy that has been advocated by some Washington Democrats and is 
having devastating consequences for the morale and safety of America's 
law enforcement officers.
  In 2021, 346 officers were shot, and ambush-style attacks increased 
by 115 percent from 2020. Last month, we all watched as NYPD officers 
lined the streets of Manhattan to honor two of their fallen brothers 
who were shot and killed in the line of duty.
  Criminal acts of violence against law enforcement are becoming all 
too common. Despite this fact, Washington Democrats continue to call 
for defunding the police, and stoke division between the public and the 
heroes who keep us safe every day and sacrifice to do so.
  Painting law enforcement out to be the bad guy doesn't make America 
safer. It does exactly the opposite, and it only serves to embolden 
more criminal behavior and lawlessness. Our officers protect us every 
day and they need our support now more than ever.
  I stand with law enforcement, and I stand for law and order. I thank 
the gentlewoman from Florida for having this important Special Order.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Keller for his 
comments.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Grothman), my friend and colleague.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. 
Much of the police hatred that we get stems from horribly divisive 
politicians like President Biden, who claim that Black children must be 
taught to tolerate racist abuse from police just to make it home.
  President Obama also had quotes encouraging police hatred by 
screaming racism. Let's look at the facts as pointed out by Heather Mac 
Donald in an excellent article in The Wall Street Journal. Sadly, 
groups who are involved in crime are more likely to get in 
confrontations with police. Fifty-three percent of homicide offenders 
in America and 60 percent of robberies are committed by the same 
demographic that Black Lives Matter purports to help. Study after study 
after study analyzing the statistics shows no racism.

  Other studies show that Black and Brown policemen are more likely to 
shoot suspects than White officers, also inconsistent with the racial 
narrative.
  You might say why discuss this issue? Who cares if we lie and tear 
down the police? I suggest that the Congressmen around here all make an 
effort to do a ride-along with the police. See what great, selfless 
human beings they are before you scream racism without cause.
  Furthermore, police are human, and when you keep calling police 
racists, I think sometimes police have a tendency to back off and 
become less assertive. And that is one of the major reasons a big city 
near me, the city of Milwaukee, for 2 years in a row we have had 
massive, record numbers of homicides in the city. That is what happens 
when the police become cowed and less effective.
  It has resulted, I think, in dozens of murders in Milwaukee that 
would not have happened without the racist antipolice groups. And by 
groups, I point out, not only politicians, but the NFL has encouraged 
police dislike with their Black Lives Matter support in the stadiums. 
Stand up to the cheap politicians tearing down the police. Stand up to 
the billionaires who own the NFL and fan the flames of anti-race 
feelings, and stand with the police of America who are doing a 
tremendous job.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from the 
great State of Wisconsin for his comments.
  It is my pleasure to yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde), 
my friend and a champion for law enforcement.
  Mr. CLYDE. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Cammack for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, our great Nation is blessed with dedicated law 
enforcement officers who wake up every morning to maintain law and 
order, keep communities safe, and answer the call when criminals 
strike. Yet, their sacrifice has been met with radical calls from the 
left to defund the police, and also horrific attacks from those people 
who believe in defunding the police.
  In 2021 alone, there were 346 officers shot in the line of duty, 
including 63 tragic deaths. Additionally, there was almost a 50 percent 
increase in police officer murders last year, totaling 73 deaths from 
violent criminals who have no respect for law and order.
  These startling statistics represent the highest number of law 
enforcement officers who were murdered since the terror attacks of 
September 11, 2001.

                              {time}  2140

  This violence isn't just sequestered to major cities either. It is 
happening all across the United States. Unfortunately, my home 
district, Georgia's Ninth, a district that is primarily rural, knows 
this harsh reality all too well.
  Back in November of last year, Jackson County, my home county, lost 
both a mother and a heroic police officer, Deputy Lena Marshall. After 
responding to a domestic call that escalated to a violent shootout, 
Deputy Marshall's life was taken while serving to keep Georgians safe.
  Any act of criminal violence is an assault on justice, which is why 
we must provide our brave men and women in blue with the community 
support, the resources, and especially the political backing needed to 
adequately respond to surging crime across our Nation.
  Those in political office show both ignorance and cowardice when they 
side with criminals and, thereby, undermine those who serve and 
protect.
  May God protect our courageous law enforcement officers who put their 
lives on the line each and every day, and God bless the fallen heroes, 
like Deputy Marshall, who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting 
the communities they serve.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from the 
great State of Georgia for those words.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Murphy), my friend and colleague.
  Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, over the last year, our 
law enforcement officers have been faced with targeted attacks, 
skyrocketing crime rates, and decimated budgets.
  Madam Speaker, despite these challenges, our law enforcement officers 
continue to protect and serve our communities with unwavering bravery, 
sacrifice, and selflessness.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent so many incredible law 
enforcement officers in eastern North Carolina, all of whom put 
themselves at risk each day so that the rest of us can live in safe, 
secure communities.
  Madam Speaker, Deputy Zachary Bellingham, a former U.S. Marine and 
deputy for the Craven County Sheriff's Office, in my district, is no 
exception.
  On October 21, 2021, Deputy Bellingham sustained life-threatening 
injuries while performing a wellness check in New Bern, North Carolina, 
when he was shot in the line of duty. Following his injuries, he was 
taken to Carolina East Medical Center, airlifted to Greenville, and 
received emergency surgery. He was then transferred to Shepherd's 
Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, where he has shown strong 
perseverance in his rehabilitation.
  The conduct and actions of Deputy Bellingham embody the values of a 
true American hero. Madam Speaker, his brave actions on that fateful 
day highlight the very best of our law enforcement and all they do to 
protect our communities. I am so relieved to know that Deputy 
Bellingham is in good care and continuing his road to recovery.
  After his injury, members of our community quickly rallied around 
Deputy Bellingham, offering him well-wishes in support of his recovery.
  His service, Madam Speaker, is one we all honor and appreciate, and I 
am grateful to represent such a compassionate and caring community in 
eastern North Carolina.
  Madam Speaker, please join us in expressing our sincere gratitude to 
not only this deputy but all law enforcement officers for their 
commitment to keeping us and our families safe each and every day.

[[Page H1011]]

  

  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Chabot), my friend and colleague and a champion of law enforcement.
  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. 
Cammack), for her leadership in putting together this Special Order 
this evening to honor our local law enforcement officers. I can think 
of few people more deserving of this honor than the men and women in 
local law enforcement, as their daily acts of heroism, bravery, and 
courage keep our communities safe.
  Tonight, we have heard numerous examples of officers displaying acts 
of heroism while in the line of duty. I would like to include a few 
more from my district back in Cincinnati, Ohio.
  Officers Tiffany Mountjoy and Chris Keene of the Franklin, Ohio, 
Police Department, ran into a house engulfed in flames, without 
protective gear, to save the life of an 82-year-old woman who was 
trapped inside.
  Cincinnati Police Officer Sonny Kim was shot and killed in the line 
of duty by an individual whose apparent motive was to lure and murder 
as many police officers as possible.
  Colerain Township Police Officer Dale Woods was responding to a 
traffic accident when he was hit by a truck. Officer Woods, a father of 
three children, who had served the community with distinction for 15 
years, died 3 days later.
  Finally, one of most heroic occurrences by police officers in my 
congressional district in recent memory took place a couple of years 
back when Cincinnati police officers responded to an active shooter 
situation in downtown Cincinnati at the Fifth Third Bank on Fountain 
Square. Their quick actions saved the lives of countless civilians who 
were in the building that day, whose lives probably would have been 
lost but for their heroism.
  According to the FBI, there were 73 law enforcement officers killed 
in the line of duty last year by felonious homicide, meaning they were 
killed with firearms, vehicles, knives, or assaults. That is nearly 
twice as many as were killed in the line of duty the year before. Of 
those, 32 officers were killed last year by ambush attack, which is 
twice as many as the previous 2 years combined.
  These numbers are quite disturbing, particularly when you consider 
that many Democrat elected officials across the country, and in this 
very House, support policies which are antipolice, like defunding the 
police or dismantling police departments or eliminating qualified 
immunity, which means they could be sued personally as police officers.

  We need to be supporting our police officers all across the country, 
not implementing policies that put them at risk.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague for 
being a continual champion for our law enforcement officers.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Obernolte), my friend and colleague and a champion for law enforcement.
  Mr. OBERNOLTE. Madam Speaker, this last year has seen an 
unprecedented wave of violence against law enforcement officers across 
our country.
  In particular, in my home State of California, 23 law enforcement 
agents were shot in the line of duty last year. In my own district, the 
Eighth District of California, one was unfortunately shot and killed by 
gunfire. That was Sergeant Dominic Vaca of the San Bernardino County 
Sheriff's Department.
  Congress needs to work to support and improve our law enforcement 
agencies, not to defund or dismantle them.
  I am committed to protecting our law enforcement agencies and to 
defending the rule of law across our country and their efforts to keep 
our community safe.
  Madam Speaker, last year, I was proud to host a dinner in honor of 15 
of California's Eighth's first responder community who went above and 
beyond the call of duty last year to serve and protect our community.
  Amongst our honorees were San Bernardino County Deputy Sheriff Dustin 
Whitson, who was shot in the line of duty while responding to a call at 
a storage facility in Hesperia; California Highway Patrol Inland 
Division Officer Garret Morris, who helps run an after-school racing 
team to provide community support and a safe alternative to illegal 
street racing for kids in our community; San Bernardino County Deputy 
Sheriff Tiffany Kautz, who was instrumental in obtaining the arrest and 
conviction of a man who was sexually abusing his own stepchildren; San 
Bernardino County Probation Corrections Supervisor Gina Martinez, who 
passed away last September after 21 years of ensuring that each youth 
in her care obtained a diploma, employment, and a place that they could 
call home and feel safe.
  Madam Speaker, these law enforcement officers are examples of the 
dedication our first responders show to our community every day, and 
their stories are echoed by countless law enforcement personnel across 
our country.
  Madam Speaker, it is time that this Congress stands behind our law 
enforcement officers and the rule of law.
  Madam Speaker, I thank each of our law enforcement officers for their 
dedication to our community.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from the 
great State of California for continuing to be a champion for our 
police departments and law enforcement officers.
  Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Florida has 7 minutes 
remaining.
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Speaker, it is pretty challenging to be standing 
in a room that, from the view of C-SPAN, is filled. But I can tell you 
right now that it is just you and me, Madam Speaker, as well as my 
colleague from the Sunshine State, Representative Rutherford, behind 
me, as well as some of our fantastic staff here on the House floor.

                              {time}  2150

  I think it is time that we stop playing these partisan games and 
really come together because this truly is a bipartisan issue. This is 
an issue that affects our communities as a whole, and I think if we are 
going to call for responsibility, actions, and words, we should start 
in this Chamber.
  I have a quote here that I wanted to read from one of our colleagues. 
It says: ``I am going to make sure that I have security because I know 
I have had attempts on my life, and I have too much work to do. There 
are too many people that need help right now. So, if I end up spending 
$200,000, if I spend $10 more on it, you know what? I get to be here to 
do the work. So suck it up, and defunding the police has to happen. We 
need to defund the police and put that money into social safety nets 
because we are trying to save lives.'' Madam Speaker, those are your 
words.
  See, when I was homeless about a decade ago, I wasn't privileged 
enough to have $200,000 to spend on private security. In fact, it was a 
comfort knowing that at any moment, in some of the toughest situations 
that were happening around us--violence, abuse--that a quick call to 
911 would result in someone coming to help. We had nothing but the 
reassurance that on the other end of that line, someone was coming to 
help, someone was willing to answer the call.
  I know that there is far more in this country that unites us than 
divides us, but I cannot tell you how disappointed I am as we have 
stood here for the last hour reciting stories of heroism, of 
selflessness--if I had time, I would recite the names of our fallen 
officers, but I simply haven't enough time. And, quite frankly, Madam 
Speaker, you haven't even looked up off your phone.
  To Americans who are watching this, know that there are people in 
this Congress who do give a damn, who will look up off their phone, who 
are not too bothered to listen. We will not stop fighting. We will 
continue to back the blue.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________