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




                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Stanton). The Chair recognizes the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, in 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 
15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week of May 15 as 
National Police Week. Established in 1962 by a joint resolution of this 
body, National Police Week pays special recognition to law enforcement 
officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
  Last year, in my home State of Florida, we lost 51 law enforcement 
officers. I pause to honor them today. I was sworn in as a police 
officer in 1984. I shall never forget my oath or the indescribable 
feeling of being a police officer. Police officers do it all: they 
coach little league baseball, football, basketball, they deliver meals 
to seniors, mentor teens, and buy teddy bears for abused and neglected 
children. We also know they run to murders, rapes, robberies, 
burglaries, and other vicious assaults, including domestic violence 
calls. They respond, without hesitation, hoping and praying for a 
peaceful resolution, but never really knowing what the outcome will be.
  This year, 617 new names will be added to the memorial wall, fallen 
officers who lost their lives through violence, crashes, assaults. 
There were 439 officers that lost their lives to COVID-19 while doing 
everything they could to protect and serve their communities.
  Representing central Florida, I will take a moment, Mr. Speaker, to 
remember my brother, Orange County Deputy First Class Craig Seijos. 
Every day Deputy Seijos went to work, ``Making a Difference'', serving 
the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the citizens of Orange County, 
Florida, for 30 years. He is gone but will never be forgotten.
  The 62 law enforcement officers added to the memorial wall this year 
lost their lives through gunfire. As the 36th chief of police of the 
Orlando Police Department, I would like to tell you about one of them, 
Officer Kevin Valencia.
  On June 11 of 2018, Officer Valencia responded to a domestic violence 
call involving a convicted felon holding a woman and four children at 
gunpoint. While attempting to rescue those children, the gunman shot 
through the door critically injuring Kevin.
  Kevin fought hard but succumbed to his injuries last year. Kevin 
Valencia, only 29 years of age, was a good police officer, one full of 
courage, full of pride, and commitment. Officer Valencia is gone, but 
he will never be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, as we honor these men and women for their service, we 
here in this body--the same one in 1962 who passed the joint 
resolution--have an obligation to continue to support legislation that 
will help keep our law enforcement officers safe and will give them the 
tools needed to perform the tough job, the dangerous job that they do 
every day.
  Protectors, guardians--when they need to be--warriors--when they need 
to be--public servants, America law enforcement officers, my brothers 
and sisters in blue, many have given much. These officers whose names 
appear on the memorial wall have given all. Let's honor their memories, 
their service, their sacrifice.

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