[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 55 (Monday, March 27, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1445-H1446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR THE NATIONAL PEACE 
 OFFICERS MEMORIAL SERVICE AND THE NATIONAL HONOR GUARD AND PIPE BAND 
                               EXHIBITION

  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 15) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and 
the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 15

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. USE OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL PEACE 
                   OFFICERS MEMORIAL SERVICE.

       (a) In General.--The Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of 
     Police and its auxiliary shall be permitted to sponsor a 
     public event, the 42d Annual National Peace Officers Memorial 
     Service (in this resolution referred to as the ``Memorial 
     Service''), on the Capitol Grounds, in order to honor the law 
     enforcement officers who died in the line of duty during 
     2022.
       (b) Date of Memorial Service.--The Memorial Service shall 
     be held on May 15, 2023, or on such other date as the Speaker 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules 
     and Administration of the Senate jointly designate, with 
     preparation for the event to begin on May 10, 2023, and 
     takedown completed on May 16, 2023.

     SEC. 2. USE OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL HONOR GUARD 
                   AND PIPE BAND EXHIBITION.

       (a) In General.--The Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of 
     Police and its auxiliary shall be permitted to sponsor a 
     public event, the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band 
     Exhibition (in this resolution referred to as the 
     ``Exhibition''), on the Capitol Grounds, in order to allow 
     law enforcement representatives to exhibit their ability to 
     demonstrate Honor Guard programs and provide for a bagpipe 
     exhibition.
       (b) Date of Exhibition.--The Exhibition shall be held on 
     May 14, 2023, or on such other date as the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration of the Senate jointly designate.

     SEC. 3. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

       (a) In General.--Under conditions to be prescribed by the 
     Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board, the 
     event shall be--
       (1) free of admission charge and open to the public; and
       (2) arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress.
       (b) Expenses and Liabilities.--The sponsors of the Memorial 
     Service and Exhibition shall assume full responsibility for 
     all expenses and liabilities incident to all activities 
     associated with the events.

     SEC. 4. EVENT PREPARATIONS.

       Subject to the approval of the Architect of the Capitol, 
     the sponsors referred to in section 3(b) are authorized to 
     erect upon the Capitol Grounds such stage, sound 
     amplification devices, and other related structures and 
     equipment, as may be required for the Memorial Service and 
     Exhibition.

     SEC. 5. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS.

       The Capitol Police Board shall provide for enforcement of 
     the restrictions contained in section 5104(c) of title 40, 
     United States Code, concerning sales, advertisements, 
     displays, and solicitations on the Capitol Grounds, as well 
     as other restrictions applicable to the Capitol Grounds, in 
     connection with the events.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PERRY. Mr. 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 H. Con. Res. 15.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have introduced this resolution along with 
Ranking Member Titus of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, 
Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
  This resolution authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 
42nd Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Event to honor law 
enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
  These men and women put on their uniforms each day to serve and 
protect our communities and our families.
  Violent crime continues to be a daily tragedy in this country, and we 
have seen it, as a matter of fact, again today.
  It is critical that we recognize that police officers are doing an 
extremely difficult and dangerous job day in, day out, 365 days a year, 
to keep Americans safe.
  To all the law enforcement officers who put on the badge each day, 
who wear it with honor and distinction, we say thank you, and we 
support you.
  This resolution is just one small way we can demonstrate our support 
for these officers and their families and honor the men and women who 
lost their lives in the line of duty in 2022, including, unfortunately, 
19 individuals from my home State of Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this resolution and reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of H. Con. Res. 15, which 
authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 42nd Annual National 
Peace Officers Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe 
Band Exhibition.
  As the ranking member of the subcommittee that oversees our public 
buildings, it is my honor to carry this resolution alongside 
subcommittee chair, Mr. Perry.
  The memorial service, which will be held on May 15, will be 
coordinated with the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police, 
and it will honor 557 officers whose names will be added to the 
memorial, including 9 from Nevada.
  The memorial will also continue to recognize the sacrifice of law 
enforcement during the pandemic as they served among the millions of 
frontline and essential workers who day in and day out risked their 
lives and their families' safety to keep us safe while we slowed the 
spread of that deadly virus.
  We cannot bring back those that we have lost, but we can honor the 
sacrifice they made to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our 
communities safe.
  I note the officers from southern Nevada who made the ultimate 
sacrifice: Bailiff Gerald ``Bear'' Smith served in the Pahrump Justice 
Court since 2009, and he is remembered for his constant compassion and 
going out of his way to do anything he could to help the people of 
Pahrump.
  Bailiff Smith passed away on January 18, 2021, from complications as 
a result of contracting COVID in the line of duty.
  Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Officer Closi, Philip Closi, 
who served in the department for 21 years, including working closely 
with local students as part of the DARE program. He previously served 
as a firefighter and paramedic.
  Officer Closi passed away on August 11, 2021, from complications, 
again, as a result of contracting COVID in the line of duty.
  Sergeant Douglas King served 17 years in the Las Vegas Metropolitan 
Police Department and prior to his death was set to receive the 
department's Medal of Honor for placing himself in danger to save the 
life of a domestic violence victim.
  On August 23, 2021, Sergeant King passed away from complications as a 
result of contracting COVID in the line of duty.
  Senior Federal Air Marshal Shawn Hennessee was a member of the 
Federal

[[Page H1446]]

Air Marshal Service for nearly 19 years and spent an additional 13 
years serving in the U.S. Air Force.
  Based out of the Las Vegas field office, he dedicated his life to 
protecting passengers and crew from threats to their safety in the 
skies.
  Federal Air Marshal Hennessee passed away on August 26, 2021, from 
complications as a result of contracting COVID in the line of duty.
  Police Officer Edward Contreras served the Las Vegas Metropolitan 
Police Department for over 15 years, in addition to his service in the 
U.S. Marine Corps where he was deployed to both Somalia and Iraq.
  Officer Contreras passed away on September 28, 2021, from 
complications as a result of contracting COVID in the line of duty.
  Special U.S. Deputy Marshal Jose Gomez was a United States Marine 
Corps Reserve veteran who served with the United States Marshals 
Service for 22 years.
  While serving at the Lloyd D. George Courthouse in Las Vegas, Special 
Deputy Gomez contracted COVID-19 in the line of duty and passed away on 
February 6, 2022.
  This was a cruel disease that took away many of our very brave 
frontline law enforcement and emergency responders.
  Detective Justin Terry humbly served in the Las Vegas Metropolitan 
Police Department for nearly 21 years and was committed to protecting 
children in the community from sexual assault and abuse.

  A sworn task force officer with the U.S. Marshals Office, Detective 
Terry passed away on June 10, 2022, after a tragic accident in the 
northwest valley.
  Police Officer Truong Thai was proud to be a Vietnamese-American 
officer in Las Vegas. A 23-year veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan 
Police Department, he dedicated his time on patrol and served in the 
financial crimes unit and mentored countless new recruits.
  On October 13, 2022, Officer Thai was shot and killed while 
responding to a domestic disturbance call.
  My condolences are with the families and loved ones of these brave 
public servants and all of those who are mourning the loss of the 557 
courageous men and women whose duty and sacrifice will be commemorated 
at this year's memorial.
  I urge the House to join me in supporting this tribute to our fallen 
law officers. It is the least that we can do.
  Mr. Speaker, I will close by saying that this is a very fitting thing 
for us to do here on the Capitol Grounds, and I hope that all our 
colleagues will join Mr. Perry and me in voting in favor of this 
memorial service.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I reiterate not only my support but my 
thanks to the gentlewoman from Nevada for her support of H. Con. Res. 
15. And most importantly, for my thanks and support for the men and 
women who put their lives on the line each day to protect our 
communities and families.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this resolution, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 15.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________