[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 13, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H6871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NEBRASKA LOVES ITS LAW ENFORCEMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Flood) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FLOOD. Mr. Speaker, as National Law Enforcement Day approaches, I 
rise today to salute our men and women who keep our communities safe 
each and every day.
  It wasn't long ago that law enforcement was almost universally 
respected in America. The blue uniform was a symbol not just of law and 
order but also of community peace and harmony. Policemen and 
policewomen belonged among the most trusted community members, 
alongside nurses, teachers, firefighters, and postal workers.
  However, something happened in 2020. Antipolice riots erupted in 
communities across the country. Places like Seattle, Minneapolis, and 
Chicago were besieged by violence. Violent protestors set up a law 
enforcement-free zone in Seattle known as CHAZ.
  Civil unrest in Minneapolis led to one-half billion dollars' worth of 
damage while city leadership failed to keep order after George Floyd's 
death. Folks looked at the Magnificent Mile in Chicago while the world 
watched America burn.
  Nevertheless, this destruction wasn't tolerated in Nebraska.
  When disorder erupted in two of our major cities, then-Governor Pete 
Ricketts cracked down. He deployed State patrol and National Guard 
members to assist communities and protected businesses and homeowners.
  Since the national unrest in 2020, Nebraska has doubled down on our 
commitment to supporting our men and women in blue. While some States 
have repealed traditional protections for law enforcement, Nebraska has 
maintained qualified immunity. This is critical to ensuring law 
enforcement officers can do their jobs without the threat of frivolous 
lawsuits or complaints.
  Last year, before I came to Congress, I was the proud cosponsor of 
the Law Enforcement Attraction and Retention Act in the Nebraska 
legislature. This bill provides a variety of cash incentives for 
individual officers to help law enforcement agencies retain their 
workforce. It received almost unanimous approval from that body.
  This year--and I want to double down on this--the legislature in 
Nebraska passed the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act. It 
covers 100 percent of tuition for law enforcement officers, 
firefighters, and their children who want to get a college degree from 
a community college or a State college or university. We are the first 
State in the Nation to give police officers, their families, and their 
children free college, recognizing that what they do is important and 
that it is needed.

  If someone is living in one of those places where law enforcement is 
under attack, I want them to look at Nebraska. Look at what we can do 
for them and their family. We have a variety of opportunities available 
in law enforcement. The Nebraska State Patrol is the finest statewide 
agency in the Nation led by an outstanding colonel, John Bolduc.
  Our two biggest cities have fantastic large agencies that provide 
lots of opportunities to advance. If someone likes to hunt, we can help 
them there, too.
  We have lots of opportunities in smaller agencies, mid-size 
communities, a plethora of opportunity.
  There is truly an opportunity in Nebraska for every law enforcement 
officer, and it comes with a low cost of living and competitive 
salaries. Our communities need police officers. Rural communities need 
police officers. We are doing what we can in Nebraska to make it as 
attractive to people across the country as humanly possible.
  As we honor our peace officers on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, I 
invite anyone working in the profession to consider my great State as 
they think about their career and what is best for their family and 
know that Nebraskans support them. We salute their work; we wish them 
all the best as they continue to protect communities and the good life 
across our country.
  May God bless our law enforcement, and may God bless the United 
States of America.

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