[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 81 (Monday, May 15, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2337-H2341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             BACK THE BLUE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 9, 2023, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I appreciate this time as we have our 
bipartisan Special Order hour to honor law enforcement officers all 
across America to talk about our back the blue.
  This evening, as we begin, I am joined by so many of my colleagues on 
both sides of the aisle who truly do support our law enforcement 
community. We are here to celebrate the lives and also honor the deaths 
of many of these officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
  Madam Speaker, as a career law enforcement officer, I know what our 
officers go through every day when they put on their uniforms, say 
good-bye to their families, and head out to do the important work of 
protecting their communities. They step into that breach between the 
good citizens that they have sworn to protect and that criminal element 
out there that would do them harm.
  Unfortunately, over the last few years, we have seen an uptick in 
violence specifically directed at law enforcement officers, especially 
in the form of ambush-style attacks. These violent attacks have been 
fueled by antipolice rhetoric, which has left our officers demoralized 
and delegitimized.
  In fact, according to the National Fraternal Order of Police, just 
this year, just in 2023 so far, 135 officers have been shot, 15 of 
those killed by gunfire. The number of officers shot in the line of 
duty is up 52 percent from this time 3 years ago.
  Madam Speaker, there have been 38 ambush-style attacks on police 
officers, 38. In these attacks, 43 police officers have been shot. This 
country cannot tolerate this violence. We must respond with action to 
prevent further attacks against our police officers. I am grateful for 
my bipartisan colleagues who join me on this floor this evening to send 
a message that we have the backs of those officers who serve our 
communities.
  This Congress, I am proud to have reintroduced three bipartisan bills 
to further support our law enforcement officers: The Invest to Protect 
Act, which will make critical investments in small police departments 
with fewer than 200 officers to help them with recruitment, retention, 
mental health support for their officers, and officer training. The 
Protect and Serve Act, which creates enhanced Federal penalties for 
individuals who deliberately target law enforcement officers in the 
line of duty. So if you target the police, Congress is going to target 
you. Then finally, the HELPER Act, which will help our law enforcement 
officers and other first responders buy homes within the community that 
they serve.
  I am going to continue to advocate for legislation that supports and 
equips our men and women in blue. While we continue to work to support 
officers still on the job, we must also remember those who have laid 
down their lives in service to their communities.
  Last week, I had the honor of commemorating Florida's fallen 
officers, including two in my own district. Paul Matthew Patrick was an 
Atlantic Beach police officer whose watch ended on September 12. He is 
a legacy. He died in 1932. Coby Brandon Seckinger is a St. Johns County 
deputy whose watch ended on December 14 of 2020.
  Madam Speaker, it is vital that we never forget those who choose to 
walk out that door each day and face an unknown danger so that we don't 
have to. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: ``The purpose of life is not to 
be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to 
have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.''
  This week we remember their sacrifice and use it as an inspiration to 
better support law enforcement officers across this Nation. I pray each 
and every person across America would live the rest of our lives worthy 
of their sacrifice.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Pascrell), my good friend across the aisle, who is also co-chair of the 
Law Enforcement Caucus. I thank him for being here, and he knows about 
service. He has served in the Army, and he is now serving on the Ways 
and Means Committee.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I associate myself with Mr. Rutherford's 
words.
  Madam Speaker, I am always proud to stand in support of our brave law 
enforcement officers, those officers who suit up every day. That is 
especially true during National Police Week.
  Our heroes do not just protect the safety of us and our neighbors, 
they defend the institutions that are fundamental to the well-being of 
our great society.
  Thousands of law enforcement officers and their families are in 
Washington to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The 
names of 556 officers will be added to the National Law Enforcement 
Officers Memorial. Among these fallen heroes are Matthew Vogel of the 
Hudson County Sheriff's Office in New Jersey and Robert Miller of the 
Clifton Police Department.

  Lieutenant Vogel and Sergeant Miller are missed tremendously in our 
north Jersey communities. I pray for their families, and I know my 
brother across the aisle feels the same way.

[[Page H2338]]

  As the longtime co-chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus I know the 
value of building trust between law enforcement and the communities 
that they serve. We cannot simply say we support law enforcement. 
Action is required.
  Last Congress, it was my honor to write two bills to fund the police 
that were signed into law: The Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder Law Enforcement Training Act and Protecting 
America's First Responders Act.
  The last 3 years have been difficult for all of us, especially for 
our brothers and sisters in uniform that are there every day.
  This Police Week, let's do right by the law enforcement community. 
Let's pass bills that actually support the police; not partisan 
messaging, but action.
  I hope we would have considered two bipartisan bills of mine this 
Police Week. The first bill, H.R. 1322, the Law Enforcement Officers 
Equity Act, would guarantee Federal law enforcement officers receive 
their full retirement benefits. I think we all agree on that hopefully. 
The second bill, H.R. 1719, Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, would 
ensure our first responders who die or become disabled due to 
occupational cancer receive benefits under the Public Safety Officers' 
Benefits program. These bills would actually make a difference for 
officers and their families.
  It is time we focus on those on the front lines. I hope we can pass 
these bills this Congress. I will say this, also, I would ask my 
brothers and sisters on both sides of the aisle to consider what I have 
been talking about for 25 years concerning weapons in our neighborhoods 
all over the country.
  The best thing we can do for the police department is to protect it. 
I think that certain weapons are military style and do not belong out 
in the street. I think we would be doing a great service to law 
enforcement. We know not only do we need the personnel on the street, 
but we also need to protect them and give them the resources. This is 
why when I was in the State legislature in New Jersey many moons ago, 
we supported the first mass weapons bill banning those weapons. They 
have only one purpose, and that is in the military.
  God bless our police. God bless America. God bless the Congress folks 
who see beyond their nose and understand what is going on out there in 
the America. We need to protect these guys and gals who go out every 
day to protect us.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, although the gentleman and I may not 
agree on everything, we do agree on the Law Enforcement Equity Act. As 
a cosponsor, I hope we can get that over the line. I think that would 
do a great service to our law enforcement communities out there.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon). He 
is a retired U.S. Air Force general who knows all about service above 
self. He is also, I should say, one of the original cosponsors of the 
LEOSA Reform Act, which is certainly going to help law enforcement 
officers all across America.
  Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Rutherford for 
leading tonight's Special Order and being the expert on law enforcement 
issues. We came in together, and I look to the gentleman for doing the 
right thing to support our police. I appreciate Mr. Pascrell, too. We 
worked a lot on traumatic brain injury and law enforcement issues. We 
find areas to agree on. I know Mr. Gottheimer is getting up here soon, 
and he is also a partner in many of our policies that we need to work 
on together.
  I rise today in honor of our police, the men and women who walk the 
streets of our communities to keep us safe. Those who leave their 
families do so every day to protect ours.
  In particular, I recognize the 556 officers who never returned to 
their families last year, including Saunders County Deputy Sheriff Jeff 
Hermanson, who passed away. He was a K9 handler and a volunteer 
firefighter. Deputy Hermanson was best remembered as a respected 
officer dedicated to his job.
  The best way we can honor those who give their lives, and their 
families, is to introduce legislation that better protects them on the 
job and prepares them for their profession and protects them in 
retirement.
  This Congress I introduced H.R. 355, the Back the Blue Act of 2023, 
which makes it a Federal crime to kill, attempt to kill, or conspire to 
kill a Federal judge, a Federal law enforcement officer, or federally 
funded public safety officer. Criminals who cause harm or death to our 
officers should face punishment to the fullest extent of the law.
  Mr. Rutherford talked earlier about all these ambushes. This is 
unacceptable. They must be held accountable. Our police are also facing 
radical attacks, and there are growing calls for them to be defunded.
  Let us be absolutely clear: We stand with our police.
  I am an original cosponsor of the Invest to Protect Act which would 
direct the Department of Justice to establish a grant program to aid 
police departments with fewer than 200 law enforcement officers. I am 
also a cosponsor of the EAGLE Act of 2023 to assist with the 
accreditation of small and midsize police departments.
  Unfortunately, there is an effort to eliminate the protections of 
qualified immunity for police officers. Let's be clear. Qualified 
immunity is not a blank check allowing law enforcement officers to do 
what they want. It only protects them for personal liability if they 
have not violated clearly established policies.

                              {time}  2015

  Without it, law enforcement officers would face a deluge of civil 
suits for simply doing their jobs.
  I am a cosponsor of the Qualified Immunity Act, which would codify 
qualified immunity protections for law enforcement.
  We are seeing a rise of crime across the Nation. In contrast, I want 
to brag on our Omaha Police Department, which has worked with the 
community to lower crime rates.
  Fifteen years ago, the Omaha Police Department partnered with 
Empowerment Network 360 to foster relationships with neighborhood 
organizations, nonprofits, and churches. Coupled with solid support 
from the Omaha city administration, they have the funding to do the 
work they have identified through these relationships as vital to 
lowering gun violence. They are now a model of success for reducing 
homicides and violent crime in the city.
  Recently mentioned on ABC, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street 
Journal, we are one of the few large cities that have seen a drop in 
gun violence and crime. In 2022, there were 90 citywide shootings, down 
from 191 just 13 years ago. Even more impressive is that the homicide 
clearance rates are now at 87 percent in 2022. It shows our police are 
working hard and are professionals.
  My family has been a victim of crime twice, both times when I was 
deployed in the Middle East during my time in the Air Force. I will 
take this time to thank the law enforcement officers who are there at 
people's worst times in their lives. In my case, I was gone both times 
when my family was a victim of crime. I was unable to help, but I knew 
the police were there to support my wife and our kids, and we are 
grateful. I know this is the story of Americans from coast to coast, 
Hawaii and Alaska.
  These legislative actions, in addition to the work of our local law 
enforcement and community advocates, can lead to safer communities and 
help ensure that our law enforcement officers are able to return home 
to their loved ones.
  Tonight, we say to our police, our law enforcement, that we thank 
them. We love them, and we are grateful for what they do day in and day 
out.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Florida controls the 
time.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), my good friend.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I introduce the Honorable Josh 
Gottheimer from the Fifth District in New Jersey. He has always had as 
a priority the brothers and sisters in blue.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer).
  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Pascrell for his 
leadership in the caucus, supporting law enforcement, and always being 
there for those in New Jersey. I am very grateful.

[[Page H2339]]

  Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Rutherford for organizing this evening and 
for all he does and has done in his career for law enforcement and for 
his service, which continues today. We are incredibly grateful for him.
  I am grateful for my friendship with Mr. Bacon, who just spoke so 
artfully. He is vice chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus and also does 
a phenomenal job.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Police Week and to 
express my deep and unwavering support for the sacrifices our law 
enforcement officers make to keep our families and our communities 
safe.
  Every day, law enforcement officers put on bulletproof vests, kiss 
their loved ones good-bye, and then put their lives on the line to look 
out for us. That is why we must always get the backs of those who have 
ours.
  I am very proud to co-lead the bipartisan resolution that was just 
passed to recognize National Police Week and memorialize officers 
tragically killed in the line of duty.
  This week, as we are here with so many others recognizing National 
Police Week, Americans across our great Nation honor and remember the 
more than 26,000 law enforcement officers who have sacrificed their 
lives to protect our great country. We will always honor their memory. 
We must do all we can to support law enforcement.
  That is why I am honored to be leading bipartisan, bicameral 
legislation with my good friend and retired sheriff Congressman 
Rutherford called the Invest to Protect Act.
  Our bipartisan legislation that he referred to is also being co-led 
by the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman   Steven 
Horsford, and retired NYPD detective Congressman Anthony D'Esposito.
  Our bipartisan, bicameral bill will make critical investments in law 
enforcement, especially in small departments, training, recruitment and 
retention of officers, and mental health to protect our officers, our 
families, and our communities.
  The Invest to Protect Act was developed through many conversations 
with Republicans and Democrats in both Chambers and with a broad 
spectrum of stakeholders.
  I am proud the bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by key law 
enforcement organizations, including the National Association of Police 
Organizations, Fraternal Order of Police, New Jersey State FOP, New 
Jersey State PBA, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement 
Executives, National Troopers Coalition, New Jersey State Troopers 
Fraternal Association, Port Authority PBA, Peace Officers Research 
Association of California, State Troopers Non-Commissioned Officers 
Association, National Sheriffs' Association, Sergeants Benevolent 
Association, National Tactical Officers Coalition, and Federal Law 
Enforcement Officers Association.
  It is worth pointing out these organizations because it shows the 
broad support in our country to support law enforcement and to make 
sure we take care of those who take care of us.
  We have identical companion legislation in the Senate led by Senator 
Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada.

  We worked with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and others 
across the spectrum because the point Sheriff Rutherford and I realize, 
as well as so many others who support this legislation, is that you 
cannot cut or defund your way to safer communities and better police 
departments. Instead, you need to invest to protect. That is the only 
way we strengthen our departments to make them even better. We have to 
stand by them.
  This idea that you cut all the way to the bone as the answer is 
absurd. It makes our communities weaker. We need to invest in them.
  I am so grateful for this across-the-aisle support to get the backs 
of those who risk their lives every day to protect us, not just on this 
bill but on so many other important pieces of legislation that we will 
be considering this week, National Police Week.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for coming with 
us and joining on law enforcement issues. He is one of the hardest 
workers across the aisle I know. I can't tell him how much I appreciate 
his friendship.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson), who 
also knows about service above self. He is a retired United States Air 
Force lieutenant colonel, and I thank him for his service.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding 
to me.
  Service is something that is in my blood, and I can tell you that, as 
I rise today in support of the men and women who wear the blue as we 
recognize National Police Week, I don't think we can say enough about 
their sacrifices.
  All across America, police officers have an increasingly difficult 
and thankless job today. They see, literally, the worst of humanity, 
day in and day out, putting their lives on the line while serving to 
protect all of us for very modest pay.
  They head toward the danger. They run into it rather than away from 
it. They are constantly put in unpredictable, chaotic, and threatening 
positions in order to keep our communities safe.
  Very few professions demand the willingness to sacrifice one's own 
life in order to protect the safety and security of others, but that is 
exactly what our men and women in blue willingly sign up to do.
  Just last year, 224 police officers were killed in the line of duty. 
Never, as I was growing up in this great country, did I think I would 
see a number like that. They have been shot, stabbed, and run over by 
the lawless.
  Their murders don't receive nearly the media coverage that they 
should. The whole Nation should be outraged by what we see.
  To the men and women who wear the blue, on behalf of those I 
represent, I thank them. I thank them for choosing to serve and to 
protect. Importantly, I thank their families who sacrifice so much and 
can never be sure if that pre-shift hug and kiss might very well be 
their last.
  God bless each and every man and woman in blue for what they do. I 
thank them so much on behalf of a grateful Nation.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, those are true words from the heart.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Pascrell) again for an introduction.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I introduce a dynamic young lady from 
California, Congresswoman Torres. I thank her for being here.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Torres).
  Mrs. TORRES of California. Madam Speaker, as the mother of a Pomona 
police officer and former 911 dispatcher, I rise today to commemorate 
National Police Week. This week, we celebrate the heroes who don't make 
the headlines.
  I know, from my son and other officers, how much our society expects 
from the law enforcement community. We expect these brave men and women 
to put themselves in harm's way and even endanger their own lives to 
keep us safe.
  Our police officers are protectors, peacekeepers, and public 
servants, and I am proud to recognize them for what they do.
  Law enforcement is a demanding and often thankless calling, and that 
is why I will always fight to give our public safety professionals the 
resources they need to carry out their duties.
  As a 911 dispatcher for over 17 years, I answered calls from people 
in danger and helped make sure that Los Angeles police officers were in 
the right place at the right time with the right support they needed to 
keep the city safe.
  Anyone calling for budget cuts to law enforcement, including our 
heroic Capitol Police, has clearly never heard the calls that I have.
  As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have repeatedly called 
for and secured crucial funding for law enforcement and public safety 
in California's 35th Congressional District and across our country.
  I have also introduced the 911 SAVES Act, which gives our 911 
dispatchers the recognition they deserve by officially classifying them 
as emergency responders.
  Law enforcement personnel must have the resources and support that 
they need to appropriately carry out their duties. I will always fight 
to ensure that they can uphold their sacred promise to protect and 
serve our communities.

[[Page H2340]]

  

  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for the 
comments tonight. I know, as a law enforcement officer, that our 911 
dispatchers are so overlooked, I think, by our communities, what they 
do for those men and women out there on the streets.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her service, as well.
  Mrs. TORRES of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Florida for supporting the 911 SAVES Act over the years.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce another 
law enforcement officer. He spent 23 years of his life serving 
Minnesota's Duluth Police Department. He is also an original cosponsor 
of the Protect and Serve Act.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).
  Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I thank Chair Rutherford for putting on 
this hour. He served with honor. I thank him for continuing to lead in 
fighting for law enforcement in our Conference.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the many law enforcement 
officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our communities. 
Every year, men and women from across this country decide to serve on a 
police force. They do it because they have a unique and noble desire to 
protect their family, friends, and communities. They have a willingness 
to put the safety of others before themselves. They believe in law and 
order and that justice will prevail against evil.
  These are good, honorable, and noble people, and we are lucky to have 
them.

                              {time}  2030

  Mr. STAUBER. Every day, these men and women put on their uniform, 
kiss their families good-bye, and head to work without certainty they 
will return home that night.
  If you ask the spouse of any law enforcement officer, what is the 
greatest sound in the world? They will tell you when their loved one 
takes the bullet-resistant vest off in the morning after duty and it 
scratches like Velcro and it wakes them up. They know their loved one 
is home from a night of hard work. They know their loved one arrived 
home safe.
  Unfortunately, many never have heard that sound. As of this April, 99 
officers have been shot in the line of duty this year and 10 have given 
their life. It is clear the dangers of the job are huge, but they are 
an accepted part of this profession.
  What disgusts me, however, is the 27 ambush-style attacks. Law 
enforcement officers are intentionally being targeted and attacked in 
the streets simply because they wear the uniform and serve their 
communities. This is unacceptable and must stop.
  In this Chamber, we must lead by example. We must respect the rule of 
law. We must thank and stand with our law enforcement officers. We must 
call on others to do so, as well. Only then will we truly honor the 
memory of those we have lost.
  As a police officer for 23 years, it is my privilege to speak about 
the law enforcement profession and the men and women who wear the blue 
and the brown. They are some of the greatest people I have ever known. 
I will use my time in Congress to honor them the best I can.
  We must not forget the family members of the men and women who serve, 
the Luke Delanos that are out there, the children of the family members 
that worry about mom or dad or brother and sister. We must also know 
that they are concerned that their loved one comes home alive at the 
end of their shift.
  My time in uniform may be over, but my watch will never end. God 
bless the men and women in the blue and brown and their families.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Stauber for his service.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Grothman), my good friend and someone who has had a life of service 
himself in the State legislature at all levels.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, we are here to commemorate another 
police week, and I think the average American never has an opportunity 
to see what the average policeman goes through and the risks they take.
  Fortunately, as a Congressman and, as you mentioned before that, a 
State legislator, I had an opportunity to try to do a couple ride-
alongs with local police departments and local sheriff's departments.
  I think until you spend time with law enforcement, you don't realize 
the risks that they go through routinely and without complaining. 
Whether it is a domestic situation where they are going up to a door 
not knowing if one of these people is armed, not knowing what you are 
going to confront, but having to knock on that door and go in there 
anyway.
  Doing a routine traffic stop--because if you are in a squad car, no 
traffic stop seems routine--you have no idea whether that person is 
armed, whether that car is going to take off, or what is going to 
happen. Every night, due to the job, the average law enforcement 
officer will be involved in, I would estimate, three or four incidents. 
During these incidents, the officer is faced with the unknown. Who is 
the other person in that car? Who is the person behind that door?
  I encourage all my colleagues to take advantage of their position, do 
a ride-along, get to know a little bit more about your police so you 
not only respect what they are doing, but know how incredibly 
professional they are. See what a great job they do. You will quickly 
realize that the few naysayers in this building who run down the 
police, it is not consistent with the statistics at all.
  In fact, there are few occupations as noble, respectful, and make you 
feel good about yourself and your accomplishments than what a policeman 
does every night.
  I will make another comment, Madam Speaker. It is good to spend a 
shift with this batch, as well.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his kind 
remarks.
  Now, Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Pascrell) for any closing remarks he would like to make tonight.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I associate myself with all the words 
that were spoken on both sides of the aisle tonight. I am sure you do, 
too. The main job in front of us is to protect our police officers, and 
I think that we can resolve differences along those lines if we sit and 
talk with each other.
  There is nothing more important than protecting our citizens. I think 
there is agreement on that. How we do it, well, that is always going to 
be controversial, but I believe that this is one issue, particularly 
what has happened over the last couple of years, that makes us either 
add or subtract from the way we thought about it before.
  Madam Speaker, I thank my co-chair for yielding. We have got tough 
decisions to make in the future, but we will make them like we always 
have, and I thank him for all of his work.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I really do appreciate the work that 
we have been able to do on the law enforcement caucus serving together 
as co-chairs, and I look forward to the many more opportunities to come 
together and work. I thank everyone for making this Special Order hour 
bipartisan and recognizing our law enforcement officers are so very 
special.
  Madam Speaker, I will close with this: As a law enforcement officer, 
my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and 
property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against 
oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or 
disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all men to 
liberty, equality, and justice. That is the opening of the Law 
Enforcement Officer's Code of Ethics.
  If you go to the Law Enforcement Memorial, every officer whose name 
is etched on those walls lived by and died for that code. We remember 
them today. This whole week is about promises made and promises kept. 
We promised them and their families that they would never be forgotten.
  This week we will keep that promise. I pray that we keep that promise 
every day, the rest of our lives. As I said earlier, I only pray that 
every person can live the rest of our lives worthy of their sacrifice.


                             General Leave

  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in

[[Page H2341]]

which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________