[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 10, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4725-H4726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  (Mr. McCARTHY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, crime and the fear of crime impacts the 
lives of every American.
  We know its rising pace: carjackings at record highs; smash-and-grab 
robberies surging; and at least 12 major cities breaking homicide 
records in 2021.
  We know its price in dollar terms: $200 billion annually in a 
regressive crime tax.
  We know its widespread costs to families who are afraid to walk the 
streets at night.
  We know the tragic costs it inflicts in death and suffering.
  And we know its root cause: soft-on-crime policies, far-left 
prosecutors, and radical Democrats. From Seattle and Portland to New 
York City and Washington, D.C., Democrats have failed the first duty of 
government. They have failed to keep citizens safe.
  Now, some House Democrats want to erase their own soft-on-crime 
record, but the American people will not be fooled. This Congress, 219 
House Democrats voted for a bill that would cost local police 
departments hundreds of millions of dollars.

[[Page H4726]]

  The American people can't afford Democrats' radical agenda of fewer 
police officers on the streets, fewer criminals behind bars, more 
victims of violent crime.
  Our police officers can't afford it either. Last year, more officers 
were murdered in the line of duty during President Biden's first year 
in office than at any point since 1995.
  Mr. Speaker, let me say that again. Last year, more officers were 
murdered in the line of duty during President Biden's first year in 
office than at any point since 1995.
  One of those officers was Kern County Sheriff's Office Deputy Phillip 
Campas. He was a rising star who was killed in the line of duty last 
year after his SWAT team responded to a domestic violence call. He 
leaves behind a wife and a young family.
  He grew up in my hometown, and he went to the exact same elementary 
school and junior high that I did. Campas was a bright example of what 
it means to serve others. Fittingly, this year, his name was added to 
the Roll Call of Heroes on the National Peace Officers' Memorial in 
Washington, D.C.
  To Deputy Campas' children, we cannot begin to imagine your sadness 
and pain, but I want you to know this: Your father was a hero. We will 
never forget him.
  Mr. Speaker, the solution to safer communities is the exact opposite 
of Democrats' radical agenda. This crime crisis deserves serious 
leadership, and it starts with stepping up and supporting law 
enforcement.
  Our brave officers face enormous challenges, yet they choose to wear 
the uniform every day. It is not enough to fully fund them. They must 
know we have their backs.
  So, as National Police Week begins, I want to say something our law 
enforcement officers don't hear enough: Thank you. Thank you for 
protecting our communities. Thank you for protecting our children. 
Thank you for protecting our country.
  While radical Democrats want to defund, demonize, and abolish the 
police, Republicans salute you, and we will always support you.

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