[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 59 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4148-H4151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 2021, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Newhouse) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the topic of my Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Washington?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of the brave men 
and women in blue who serve and protect us each and every day. I am 
proud to be able to be part of this Special Order remembering 
Washington State law enforcement, and I am proud to share this Special 
Order with most all of the delegation of the great State of Washington.
  According to statistics released by the FBI, intentional killings of 
law enforcement in the year 2021 were the highest in 20 years. Already 
this year--and we are only in April--there have been more officers shot 
and killed than all of last year.

  Every day, police officers across central Washington, across my 
State, and across the United States put on a badge and go to work 
knowing they face extremely dangerous situations exacerbated by 
significant economic uncertainties, open border policies, and the 
raging opioid crisis.
  Let me be clear: Nothing justifies the targeting and the murdering of 
law enforcement. Whether on regularly scheduled patrol duty or 
answering an urgent call for help, law enforcement officers put on 
their uniforms every day with no guarantee they will return home 
safely.
  Just 3 weeks ago, Madam Speaker, Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy 
Dominique ``Dom'' Calata, a 35-year-old Army veteran, who had been with 
the force for the past 6\1/2\ years, made the ultimate sacrifice while 
protecting his community. While assisting the South Sound Gang Task 
Force and serving a warrant for second degree assault, Deputy Calata 
was shot and killed. The deputy leaves behind his wife and a 4-year-old 
son.
  Tragically, during his memorial service 2 weeks ago, Everett police 
officer Dan Rocha was killed during a run-in with a suspect who shot 
and killed him before running over his body while fleeing the scene. 
His memorial service took place just this afternoon. Officer Rocha 
leaves behind his wife, as well as two children.
  Madam Speaker, I would ask for a moment of silence for both of these 
brave officers.

                              {time}  1945

  We all owe a debt of gratitude to these individuals who risk their 
lives to enforce the law and to protect our communities.
  Law enforcement officers take time away from their families, their 
loved ones, often without the thanks that they deserve, and often, 
putting themselves in harm's way. Our men and women in law enforcement 
deserve nothing less than our full support.
  I am deeply concerned, frankly, with the anti-police policies that 
our State has implemented and continues to consider. While there may 
have been positive steps taken to roll back this legislation this past 
session, there is still much progress to be made, both in Washington, 
and at the Federal level.
  We have to fully fund our police departments. We have to provide them 
with the necessary resources to do their important jobs.
  Over the past several years, I have had many opportunities to meet 
with police officers, with sheriffs, first responders, all across 
Central Washington in my district. I participated in ride-alongs with 
officers, from Pasco and from Sunnyside to see firsthand how they 
interact with their neighbors and local businesses.
  And I regularly meet with law enforcement officers in each of our 
counties to learn how I can help them in Congress to make their 
policing efforts much more effective.
  I am constantly in awe of the great work that these officers are 
doing to engage with families that are in need, or at-risk children, as 
well as students, and individuals who may be in danger. They do all of 
this with the goal of making our Central Washington communities a 
better, safer place to live and work; and for that I am truly grateful.
  Police officers around the country are dedicated to protecting us and 
defending the liberties that we hold dear. Law enforcement officers 
selflessly put themselves in harm's way to protect Americans, preserve 
the peace, and maintain law and order. They are truly heroes in blue, 
and we owe them our respect and our support.
  Today, I remember Deputy Calata and Officer Rocha, and offer my 
sincere condolences to their family, their friends, and the departments 
that they left behind all too soon.
  I commit to continuing to fight for the men and women in law 
enforcement and their families who sacrifice so much to keep our 
communities safe. Today, as well as every day, we offer our 
appreciation and our respect for law enforcement officers across this 
great Nation.
  Madam Speaker, as I said, I am honored and delighted that we have 
many members of the Washington State delegation to share in this 
Special Order this evening, to share their thoughts and their 
observations about what is going on, not only in our State, but States 
across the country.
  I first want to turn to my neighboring district, to my east and thank 
her for being part of this Special Order.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Spokane, Washington, 
(Mrs. Rodgers).

[[Page H4149]]

  

  Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
bringing us together this evening to honor some of the finest that 
serve our communities to protect our communities day in and day out.
  And today, I rise with a broken heart to honor two of Washington 
State's finest: Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Dom Calata, and Everett 
Police Officer Dan Rocha, both tragically shot and killed in the line 
of duty, protecting and serving the communities that they called home.
  For years, these 2 men, like so many others, put on the uniform each 
day, hugged their kids and kissed their wives and went to work to keep 
us safe; not knowing if they would ever walk back through the door at 
the end of the night.
  Deputy Calata and Officer Rocha made the ultimate sacrifice and my 
heart breaks for their grieving families and the families of the other 
685 officers killed in the line of duty since 2021.
  Madam Speaker, we must do better. This is the United States of 
America and we cannot allow these assaults on our law enforcement to 
continue. We must fund the police and give them the resources they need 
to keep us safe, and make sure they make it home safe at the end of the 
day.
  All around our communities, we see a surge of violent crime. We see 
heartbreaking drug abuse, violence in our schools, homelessness; and 
law enforcement is fighting an uphill battle, and they are on the front 
lines day in and day out. They need our support. Now, more than ever, 
we need them to do their jobs to address all of these issues.
  The anti-police rhetoric only makes things worse, and it has infected 
too many hearts and minds. These individuals are our heroes.
  Dom Calata was a hero. Dan Rocha was a hero. Each and every selfless 
man and woman in blue who gave their last breath in service to our 
community was a hero. And today, their families are without them. We 
must never forget their sacrifice and always back the blue.
  I am encouraged tonight so many of my colleagues are joining together 
as Americans to recognize the fallen, and to remember them for who they 
are, heroes.
  My heart goes out to those who are grieving this tragic loss, and I 
pray that God keeps watch over all those still serving.
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her remarks; 
heroes, I couldn't say it better.
  Now I yield to the gentlewoman from the west side of my district in 
Washington (Ms. Herrera Beutler), my good colleague and friend.
  Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER. Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to get to be 
here sharing this Special Hour with my colleagues. I wish it was about 
something else, quite frankly.
  I am very, very honored to get to stand here and share the names of 
some of these officers to whom we owe an unimaginable debt of 
gratitude. So it is a privilege to join the gentleman as we honor the 
officers who have laid down their lives for our safety, for our 
security, for our families, for our homes, for our businesses, for our 
communities.

  And to the families and the colleagues of our fallen heroes, I know 
words will never be enough. But please, please know that we stand 
alongside you in your grief, and we pledge to always remember their 
names and to honor their service and their sacrifice.
  In just the past couple of weeks, we have tragically lost two brave 
Washington State police officers: Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy 
Dominic ``Dom'' Calata, and Everett Police Department Officer Dan 
Rocha. My heart breaks for the families and the colleagues of these 
brave officers as they grapple with this devastating loss.
  And I have had the privilege, in this body, of representing my 
hometown in Congress, Southwest Washington State, which boasts some 
amazing and outstanding police forces and officers, many of whom I have 
come to know over the last several years.
  Sadly, we too have had multiple officers lost in the line of duty in 
the last few years. And I want to take this moment to recognize and 
honor those officers here today. I am just going to read their names.
  Vancouver Police Officer--which we are going to go from here across.
  Vancouver Police Officer Donald Sahota. His end of watch was January 
29, 2022.
  And then Clark County Sheriff's Sergeant Jeremy Brown. His end of 
watch was July 23, 2021.
  Washington State Patrol Trooper Justin Schaffer; end of watch, May 
24, 2020.
  And Cowlitz County Sheriff Deputy Justin DeRosier; end of watch, 
April 13, 2019.
  And again, to the families and to the colleagues of these officers, 
my heart breaks for you, and we are so proud of these officers and what 
they have given. We pledge to you to always remember their bravery and 
their sacrifice and to honor their memory by standing up for and 
supporting the law enforcement that support our communities.
  I want to take a moment to say to our men and women in blue, we stand 
in solidarity with you; and I will always, always, always, support your 
efforts to keep our communities safe.
  I recognize it is no easy feat to get up every morning, put on your 
uniform, kiss your loved ones goodbye and not know the dangers that 
could lie ahead, just in that day. I know this because you have told me 
how disheartening it is when people call to abolish or to defund law 
enforcement, or when politicians who have no clue what it is like to 
walk in your shoes, pass laws that make it more difficult for you to do 
your job, which is to protect us, our families, and our communities.
  But because of your bravery and commitment to public safety, we are 
able to safely live our lives. It is an amazing gift that you give us 
and, for that, I humbly thank you.
  We are forever grateful for your willingness to serve and protect our 
communities, and I look forward to hearing the comments from some of my 
other colleagues tonight as we honor your sacrifice and remember your 
service.
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman's comments. 
I thank her for adding to the list. The list is far too long for us to 
list everyone, unfortunately. And it is like the gentlewoman said: I 
wish we were here for a happier occasion, but this is an important one 
and I thank the gentlewoman for her contributions.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the Eighth 
Congressional District of Washington (Ms. Schrier), another neighbor. I 
am surrounded with good Members of Congress. I believe she lives in the 
town of Sammamish.
  Ms. SCHRIER. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Newhouse, my 
friend, for gathering us together here to honor law enforcement and to 
mourn several recently fallen police officers.
  Whenever a police officers is killed in the line of duty it is a 
tragedy, for the officer, for the family, and for the entire community. 
Even one such death is too many. And in the last several weeks in 
Washington State, there have been several, and we have mourned 
together.
  As I speak, the funeral is underway for Officer Dan Rocha, killed in 
the line of duty in Everett on March 25. Just 2 weeks ago, I attended 
the funeral for Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Dom Calata, who leaves 
behind his wife, Erin, his darling preschooler, Dylan, family, and 
friends.
  Dom's friend and partner in duty, Officer Rich Scaniffe, spoke at the 
funeral. And he was critically injured at the same time but, 
thankfully, survived and will make a full recovery.
  Back in 2019, when I was first sworn into office, Kittitas County 
Deputy Sheriff Ryan Thompson was also killed while serving his 
community.

  Every day, police officers put themselves in danger to keep our 
communities safe, and every day, they and their families face the risk 
that they might not make it home to their loved ones. This is why it 
has been such a priority of mine to meet with police officers and 
police chiefs to thank them for their work and to learn how I can help 
support them and keep them and their communities safe.
  I have heard from many of my constituents about rising crime rates in 
our district, including these hostilities toward police officers. 
Everyone, everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities. That is 
why I voted to increase funding for local law enforcement a few weeks 
ago, and why I will continue to push for funding to make

[[Page H4150]]

sure law enforcement have the tools they need to protect themselves and 
our communities.
  I am deeply grateful to police officers for their service. I 
understand the worries that their families face daily, and mourn 
together with families and communities for those who have been killed 
in the line of duty.
  May their memories be a blessing.
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman's remarks 
for a very special occasion here.
  I yield to the gentlewoman from Medina, Washington, (Ms. DelBene), my 
friend. We used to work together in Olympia, serving as cabinet members 
together.
  Ms. DelBENE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for pulling 
everyone together.
  Earlier today, family, friends, colleagues, loved ones, and the 
community of Snohomish County gathered to honor the life and sacrifice 
of Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha.
  Officer Rocha was fatally shot while protecting and serving our 
community. He is survived by his wife and his two sons. Our hearts are 
with his family and his loved ones.
  Officer Rocha served with the department since 2017, and lived in the 
community for more than a decade. He worked his way up the ranks after 
starting in parking enforcement, before becoming a fully commissioned 
officer with the department.
  Police officers and first responders put their lives on the line 
every day to keep our communities safe and, sadly, our State has lost 
far too many officers.

                              {time}  2000

  There is more we must do to support police and first responders 
across the country. We often ask police to do too much for our 
communities when other proven alternatives exist.
  We need to invest in mental health services so those suffering 
behavioral issues get the appropriate care that they need. We need to 
invest in gun violence prevention to limit risk to officers and 
families. We need to invest in community-based policing to build trust 
between law enforcement and the communities that they serve.
  Congress has a role here, and I will continue to work with my 
colleagues to be part of the solution to protect those who put their 
lives on the line and the communities that they serve.
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I thank Ms. DelBene for those great 
words.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen), 
from the city of Everett, one of our longer-serving colleagues and a 
very well-respected Member of Congress.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, Everett, Washington, 
suffered a tragic loss 2 weeks ago. On Friday, March 25, Everett Police 
Officer Dan Rocha was killed in the line of duty while responding to a 
call near Everett Community College.
  Today, the city of Everett celebrated Officer Rocha's life at a 
memorial service attended by many family members, his friends, law 
enforcement, other first responders, and, of course, community members.
  My thoughts and prayers are with the Rocha family during this very 
difficult time, Dan's wife, Kelli; his two sons, Thomas and Harrison; 
and his very large extended family.
  As a citizen of Everett, I myself have called upon the Everett Police 
Department a few times in my neighborhood for help, for assistance, and 
just for presence. They have always responded without question.
  Officer Rocha made an incredible impact in a short time at the 
Everett PD, serving as an officer for the last 4 years. Two years ago, 
he landed his dream assignment as a day-shift patrol officer in north 
Everett. On the day he passed, Officer Rocha was doing the job he 
loved, serving and protecting the community.
  Sadly, the Everett PD has experienced tragedy before. In 1999, 
Officer Brian DiBucci was killed while pursuing a suspect near the U.S. 
2 trestle.
  Law enforcement officers like Officers Rocha and DiBucci have 
dedicated their careers to keeping northwest Washington communities and 
residents safe.
  I know that the women and men of the Everett Police Department will 
continue to go out into the community every day and carry on Officer 
Rocha's legacy by upholding that department's commitment to service, 
integrity, professionalism, and honor.
  Today, I stand with my hometown of Everett to honor Officer Rocha and 
his service to our community.
  I thank Representative Newhouse for this opportunity to participate 
in the Special Order tonight.
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Larsen for 
personalizing this. This is your hometown, and this is real stuff. Like 
Ms. Herrera Beutler said, I wish we were here for a more celebratory 
cause, but this is very important. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman 
for his comments.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. 
Strickland), from the city of Tacoma, one of our newest colleagues in 
the House of Representatives.
  Ms. STRICKLAND. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and 
for his leadership in holding this Special Order on such an important 
issue.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize our law enforcement officers 
across Washington State and to honor those killed in the line of duty.
  I want to personally thank our law enforcement officers who work 
tirelessly to keep our community safe despite staffing shortages and, 
increasingly too often, at the expense of their own safety.
  We live in challenging times. We are coming out of a pandemic. Our 
social safety net has been frayed. People are anxious. Mental and 
behavioral health issues are prevalent. Gun violence is on the rise.
  As my colleagues and I gather here to thank and acknowledge the 
contributions of law enforcement across our State, I also stand here in 
honor of those officers and deputies injured and killed in recent weeks 
in the South Puget Sound.
  For those not familiar with our community, it is a special place, a 
tight-knit community of veterans, seniors, military families, 
educators, and, yes, law enforcement professionals who come together to 
serve and help each other every single day.
  The past 3 weeks have been rough in our community. We lost one 
officer and have had at least three more officers and deputies injured. 
Just this past Thursday evening, two Olympia police officers were 
stabbed after pursuing a suspect. Thankfully, both are recovering and 
will be okay.
  Nearly 3 weeks ago, in Spanaway, our community was shaken as our 
Pierce County Sheriff's Department officers put their lives on the line 
in service. Sergeant Rich Scaniffe was seriously injured and survived 
the incident, but tragically, we lost a young hero who served alongside 
him, Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Dom Calata, whose photo you see 
over there.
  Deputy Calata's heroism and his commitment to protect his community 
will always be remembered. Our thoughts are with his family and loved 
ones during this difficult time. I am grateful for their service and 
hope we can all stop for a moment to reflect on their sacrifices to 
serve our State.
  I hope all of us in this House will take a moment to remember Deputy 
Calata and our fallen law enforcement officers in Washington State.
  Before I close, I want to reiterate my support for and appreciation 
of law enforcement serving South Sound and the State of Washington, 
doing their part during these challenging times. From Mason County 
Sheriff's Department to Lakewood Police Department, Tacoma Police 
Department, Olympia Police Department, and Pierce County Sheriff's 
Department, please know that we appreciate your service.

  Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Newhouse for calling this 
Special Order.
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I thank Ms. Strickland for making this 
very special. Pierce County is a huge and important part of our State. 
Unfortunately, one of the most recent tragedies was in Pierce County, 
and I thank the gentlewoman for being part of this Special Order and 
recognizing that.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Kilmer), 
my final speaker today. He may be the last but certainly one of the 
best, and he is a good friend, who I served with in the State 
legislature, from Gig Harbor.
  Mr. KILMER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, for

[[Page H4151]]

organizing this Special Order, and for his extraordinary leadership.
  Madam Speaker, I join him in rising today in support of Washington 
State's law enforcement community.
  Each and every day, law enforcement officers in every corner of the 
district I have the honor of representing--and the communities all 
around our State and all around our country--go to work with one goal 
in mind: to serve and to protect. That includes officers like Pierce 
County Sheriff Deputy Dom Calata, who tragically gave his life serving 
his community last month.
  Deputy Calata admirably served his country and our community. I had 
the honor of attending his celebration of life in Tacoma. It was clear 
from the hundreds of emergency vehicles and the thousands of 
Washingtonians who showed up, first, that he was just a really good 
person; second, that our communities value the work of our law 
enforcement officers.
  Hearing the stories about how he supported other people, how he 
encouraged others, how he brought smiles to people's faces, how he had 
just a zeal for service, it was a reminder of the best of us.
  Our communities enjoy safety and security because of the commitment 
of our law enforcement officers and our first responders. That is a 
commitment that we should return as we continue to support and ensure 
the safety of those who have dedicated their lives to serve and 
protect.
  The Federal Government has to have their backs. That certainly means 
what we are doing here, offering our words of support. It means our 
prayers. It means our gratitude. But it has to mean more than that.
  Having their backs means making sure they have the tools and the 
training that they need to keep us safe and to strengthen the bonds of 
trust with the communities in which they serve.
  Having their backs means giving communities the resources they need 
to hire and train new officers. It means that when we had a pandemic 
that led to the cratering of local government revenues, Congress passed 
the American Rescue Plan because none of us wanted to see cities, 
counties, and Tribes issue a bunch of pink slips to law enforcement 
officers.
  Having their backs means funding for the COPS Hiring Program and 
funding for effective, accountable community policing and programs that 
build trust, save lives, and reduce crime.
  Having their backs means dealing with some of the underlying problems 
that make their lives more difficult. I can't tell you how many law 
enforcement officers I have spoken to in recent years who have bemoaned 
the fact that the largest provider of mental health services in nearly 
every county I represent is the county jail.
  If we can address the challenges posed by mental health, posed by 
addiction, we can help better people's lives, but we can also help our 
law enforcement officers by getting at some of the root causes of crime 
in our communities.
  Our Nation asks a lot of our first responders. In return, we have to 
keep working to ensure Congress and the Federal Government do all they 
can to help these men and women do their jobs to ensure the safety of 
all Americans and ensure their safety while they are doing those jobs.
  Former President Obama wrote a letter to the law enforcement 
community following some tragic events nearly 6 years ago. In it, he 
spoke of the importance of being united and not divided. Madam Speaker, 
I thank the gentleman for organizing this Special Order because you saw 
Democrats and Republicans united tonight in the importance of 
celebrating and thanking our law enforcement officers.
  President Obama also spoke of acknowledging that any violence against 
law enforcement officers is an unjustified attack on all of us as a 
community. Perhaps, most importantly, he said thank you. He said, 
``Every day, you confront danger so it does not find our families, 
carry burdens so they do not fall to us, and courageously meet test 
after test to keep us safe. . . . We recognize it; we respect it; we 
appreciate it; and we depend on you.''
  That is why tonight's discussion matters, and it is why the work of 
every person in law enforcement matters. It is why I am grateful to my 
friend, Mr. Newhouse, for organizing tonight's discussion.
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Kilmer for his great words 
and for putting some specifics around what we can do to help the men 
and women in blue and green and brown keep our communities safe.
  Madam Speaker, the cost, as you know, of keeping our communities 
safe, keeping us safe, is great. The people who pay the price of that 
cost are very dedicated, special people. It truly is a solemn honor for 
all of us to be able to pay tribute to, and to thank, the men and women 
who work every day to do just that, keep us safe.
  As Mr. Kilmer just said, we should be committed to doing all we can 
to provide all they need for them to be able to do their jobs.
  Madam Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues from the State of 
Washington, and I thank the men and women who do their jobs without 
thinking twice, who are dedicated to protecting us, to keeping our 
families and communities safe. We owe them a great deal.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________