[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF RUSSELL PEARCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Biggs) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I honor the life and legacy of Russell Pearce, a 
constituent, a colleague, a patriot, and a dear friend. Russell passed 
January 5, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona.
  A fifth-generation Arizonan with a deep pioneer heritage, Russell was 
born June 23, 1947, to Hal and Norma Pearce in Mesa, Arizona. Russell 
had humble roots, but was raised by a loving, hardworking mother who 
taught him that he could make his own path in the world.
  Driven by his faith, he knew that the principles of our divinely 
inspired founding documents established the United States of America as 
a bastion of liberty and peace. This belief ignited a sense of duty 
that led Russell to a life of success through service to his community, 
his State, and his country.
  He first answered the call to serve in 1965 when he joined the 
Arizona National Guard during the Vietnam conflict. He served honorably 
until 1972, and, in the interim, joined the Maricopa County Sheriff's 
Office, being sworn in as a deputy in 1970.
  Law enforcement was in Russell's blood, as his ancestor, Joe Pearce, 
had been one of the original Arizona Rangers. Two of his own sons, Sean 
and Colten, have followed Russell's example, joining the MCSO and also 
the Gilbert Police Department, respectively.
  In protecting his community, Russell demonstrated unrivaled 
toughness, courage, and dedication to duty. In 1977, while pursuing 
known gang members through a Phoenix suburb, one of them turned and 
fired. Russell was shot through the hand and chest, losing a finger. 
However, though wounded, Russell raced after the criminals and arrested 
them before seeking medical treatment.
  He received the Medal of Valor for his actions, the department's 
highest honor. Russell's tenacity and excellence led to steady 
promotions, eventually reaching the level of captain.
  After his first stint at MCSO, Russell was elected to his public 
office as justice of the peace for Mesa's new north justice district in 
1991. He earned a reputation of trust from Mesa's citizens and public 
officials.
  He rejoined MCSO when he was appointed MCSO's chief deputy in 1993 by 
America's toughest sheriff, Joe Arpaio. Serving as chief deputy for the 
largest law enforcement organization in Arizona and the fourth largest 
in the United States was a monumental task.

  Russell developed not only a love of but a true talent for public 
policy. He crafted and successfully implemented major reforms aimed at 
cutting millions in taxpayer costs and reducing offender recidivism.
  His success as chief deputy led to his appointment as director of the 
Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety, where he led the Motor 
Vehicle Division. He created ServiceArizona.com, a first-in-the-Nation 
web service that made registration faster and simpler for Arizona 
motorists and exponentially reduced wait times and costs.
  Of course, Russell is best known, nationally and locally, for his 
work in the Arizona State Legislature. He served for 11 years 
representing North Mesa in the Arizona State House first, and then the 
Arizona Senate.
  While in the senate, Russell demonstrated the foresight to tackle the 
biggest challenges facing Arizona and its citizens. I was honored to 
serve with him and call him my friend and colleague.
  Russell authored and introduced important legislation designed to 
shrink government. Ultimately, he was elected senate president and 
worked steadfastly to advance legislation that promoted the principles 
and values important to Arizonans: the right to life, the sanctity of 
marriage, defense of our southern border, and reverence for the 
Constitution and God-given liberties.
  At times, Russell's courage to bring these issues to the front placed 
Arizona in front of national issues, such as the passage of S.B. 1070, 
which allowed, among other provisions, State and local enforcement of 
immigration law. That took foresight. It took immense courage to be the 
face of that legislation.
  Russell Pearce was ahead of his time. With the current overwhelming 
crisis at our southern border, we see that States take the brunt of the 
consequences when the Federal Government fails to enforce our laws and 
protect our citizens.
  Millions of Arizonans are freer, safer, and more prosperous thanks to 
Russell Pearce's courageous and farsighted leadership in addressing 
difficult public policies. Freedom-loving Americans across this great 
country enjoy the fruits of his efforts, thanks to their respective 
States modeling legislation after those crafted under Russell's 
leadership.
  His professional and political legacy is truly unmatched and is only 
outshone by his love of God and service to his church, his loyalty to 
the country he loved and, most importantly, his beautiful family that 
survives him: his wife, LuAnne; his 5 children and 13 grandchildren.
  To quote Russell himself:
  ``You know where my heart is. You know it is with this great Republic 
of ours and its freedom-loving citizens. I believe God had His hand in 
making America. We have the greatest document ever written by wise and 
virtuous men and the greatest country in the world because of freedom-
loving people like you, the freedom-loving people of America. I, for 
one, will continue to fight to protect your freedoms from government 
encroachment. It is America's commitment to that freedom, personal 
responsibility, and moral government that makes us strong.''
  Rest in peace, Russell, and God bless LuAnne and the Pearce family.

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