[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 81 (Thursday, May 12, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4864-H4865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATING JOHNSON KNIGHTS BOYS SOCCER TEAM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Clyde) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CLYDE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2022 
Georgia High School Association 5A State champions, the Johnson Knights 
boys soccer team.
  Last week, the Knights appeared in their fifth finals since 2014 and 
earned their second State championship.
  After having a player sustain an injury that took him out of the 
game, and then trailing behind in the second half, the Knights focused 
on the remaining time they had and turned the game around.

[[Page H4865]]

  Fueled by adrenaline and filled with talent, these determined young 
men, led by Coach Frank Zamora, ultimately went on to defeat the St. 
Pius Golden Lions, boasting a final score of 4-2.
  Congratulations to the Johnson High School boys soccer team on an 
impressive win and another exciting State championship title.


                   Honoring Law Enforcement Officers

  Mr. CLYDE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor our brave men and 
women in blue.
  Our Nation is blessed with heroic law enforcement officers who pursue 
a thankless career dedicated to maintaining law and order, keeping our 
communities safe, and answering the call when criminals strike.
  Law enforcement officers are heroes in our communities. They are the 
heroes that are desperately needed, but they don't often receive the 
recognition that they deserve.
  This week, National Police Week, we honor our local, State, and 
Federal law enforcement officers. As far as I am concerned, every week 
should be National Police Week. These men and women always deserve 
gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
  Yet, law enforcement officers nationwide are facing increasingly 
challenging conditions, forcing many to leave the force and causing 
others to avoid it altogether, leaving police departments across the 
country struggling to keep staff and fill vacant positions.
  The horrendous conditions that are generating the low morale are 
skyrocketing crime rates, rising attacks on law enforcement, and 
growing calls from the left to advance soft-on-crime agendas.

                              {time}  1015

  In fact, last year alone, a record breaking 73 police officers were 
tragically killed in the line of duty. As of this month, 123 have 
already been shot in 2022, including 19 murdered by criminals.
  Unfortunately, in Georgia's Ninth District they know horrific reality 
all too well. Back in November of last year, my home county, Jackson 
County, lost both a mother and a heroic law enforcement 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.
  Make no mistake, this attack--and any attack of criminal violence 
toward law enforcement--is an assault on justice.
  Despite the radical left's persistent efforts to disarm, demonize, 
and defund the police, policies that weaken law enforcement simply 
empower criminals, worsening the ongoing crime crisis.
  In contrast, I remain dedicated to providing our law enforcement 
officers with the community support, the resources, and the political 
backing needed to address surging crime across the country.
  Undermining the authority of the heroes that protect and serve is 
despicable, which is why we continue the fight to ensure that all law 
enforcement officers are fully equipped in their mission to keep our 
community safe.
  May God bless all the men and women in blue who willingly put their 
lives on the line for ours, and may we honor all of the fallen officers 
who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. May God bless all 
of the loved ones of current, fallen, and future law enforcement 
officers who provide tremendous support both on and off duty.
  We thank you and we honor you for your selfless service.

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