[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 78 (Monday, May 6, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2863-H2868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1945
HONORING LIEUTENANT MICHAEL HOOSOCK AND OFFICER MICHAEL JENSEN
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 9, 2023, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Williams) is
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
General Leave
Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special
Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, these are troubling times. The
very fabric of our society is being pulled apart. Violent protests are
spreading across college campuses in our own Nation. Crime marches
unchecked in our cities. The numbers of fentanyl overdoses rise
unabated.
Now this: the tragic deaths of two of central New York's finest,
their lives taken in the line of duty as they stood in the gap between
civil society and chaos.
That night, what was another routine traffic stop turned into an
unspeakable tragedy. Today, two more families endure indescribable
pain.
Only a few weeks ago, I was right here with my colleagues, in this
very place, to speak in honor of another New York police officer who
was killed in the line of duty. Now, we are here again after two more
heroes have been laid to rest in my own district.
The names of the officers who were killed are Lieutenant Michael
Hoosock and Officer Michael Jensen.
Lieutenant Hoosock, known to his friends as Hootch, was a husband and
the father of three young children. He
[[Page H2864]]
was a great dad--fun, spontaneous, present, and supportive.
In 2020, Lieutenant Hoosock was recognized with the Medal of Valor
for his actions confronting an active shooter in Syracuse. He was a
decades-long firefighter and the bomb squad commander in Onondaga
County.
Officer Jensen was a son and brother with a career of service still
ahead of him. Friends and family remember his dedication and optimism.
His mother, Michelle, called him her handsome son. Syracuse Police
Chief Joseph Cecile observed that ``you could tell he took his
responsibility seriously,'' that is, of course, in between hockey
matches.
Officer Jensen joined the Syracuse Police Department in early 2022.
He served honorably in the Patrol Division on the Third Platoon day in
and day out. Last December, he was recognized as Officer of the Month.
Just 2 weeks ago, thousands upon thousands attended their funerals to
weep together, to support one another, and to honor their service and
sacrifice.
All decent Americans mourn with the families of these fallen
officers.
A functioning civil society gives its law enforcement officers the
support and tools they need to carry out their work, protecting
innocent people and restraining those who do harm to others. I am proud
to say that I am pro-police and anti-criminal. When our society loses
sight of these basic truths, our worst days follow.
To any law enforcement officers watching today, let me say this to
you: Don't lose hope. Keep the faith. You hold the fabric of our
society together against criminality and chaos. You alone stand between
innocent people and those who would seek to victimize them. We need
you. Your vigilance and your tireless service is deeply appreciated. We
weep with you today, and we stand with you every day.
This Congress, we have passed numerous bills to support law
enforcement. Many, however, inexplicably languish in the Senate, where
support for law enforcement has waned.
We will not stop until our elected officials are doing everything in
their capacity to empower our law enforcement professionals and to
support their critical work to protect all Americans.
Mr. Speaker, it is my sacred and solemn privilege to welcome and
acknowledge Michael Hoosock's widow, Caitlin. Cait and their three
beautiful children are with us in the gallery this evening.
Would you mind standing for just a moment? Thank you for being here
with us. Thank you for blessing us.
To Mrs. Hoosock: Today, this Nation honors your brave husband.
To his children: This Nation is grateful for his noble service.
Humbly, I will tell you that we mourn with you and that we recognize
your suffering and sacrifice. May God bless and keep you and watch over
each one of you. You will not be forgotten.
Since these tragic events just a few short weeks ago, countless
Members of Congress have sought me out to express their shock, anger,
and sorrow at the loss of our heroes. I have invited them to join me on
this solemn occasion and will yield such time as necessary that they
may stand with me.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. D'Esposito).
Mr. D'ESPOSITO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Williams and my colleagues
who join us here tonight to salute two fallen heroes.
Just weeks ago, we stood on the floor of this great House and saluted
another member of law enforcement whose life was taken far too soon by
a career-long criminal.
When Jonathan Diller's wife and widow spoke at his funeral, she
pleaded with those in attendance and said that just a couple of years
prior, she listened to the funeral of two other NYPD officers who had
lost their lives to career criminals. She pleaded that it wouldn't
happen again and asked the elected officials who were in that church to
make changes so that criminals did not have the upper hand and so that
law enforcement could actually use the tools in their gun belts to
effect change and to keep communities safe.
I was joined by colleagues from all throughout the country again just
weeks ago to salute Detective Jonathan Diller. Sadly, here we are
again, paying tribute to Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen and
Onondaga County Sheriff's Lieutenant Michael Hoosock, who paid and made
that ultimate sacrifice, who legitimately were standing the line
between good and evil and paid the price with their lives on April 14.
Just a couple of weeks later, in North Carolina, four more law
enforcement officers paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty:
Joshua Eyer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Thomas
Weeks of the United States Marshals Service, Alden Elliott of the North
Carolina Department of Adult Correction, and Sam Poloche of the North
Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
What is happening is that police officers are dying in record
numbers. More than 23,000 members of law enforcement have died in the
line of duty since 1786, and 136 members of law enforcement died in
2023. In my home State of New York and in the department that I was
proud to serve for 16 years as a detective, 5,363 of my brothers and
sisters were injured on the job in 2023.
Our PBA president has called the assaults ``a full-blown epidemic.''
The total of 5,363 attacks in 2023 was 13 percent higher than the
previous year.
People keep asking why and what the issue is. The issue is that in
New York, we have a State legislature led by Democrats who have chosen
to put criminals before law-abiding citizens, passing insane laws like
cashless bail and criminal justice reform without ever once having a
conversation with the men and women who actually fight crime each and
every day, who go out on that street, who put those uniforms on, who
pin their shields to their chests and go out and wrestle career
criminals, take guns off the street, close out murders, and dismantle
gangs. There never once was a conversation with any of them.
What it has led to is a more dangerous New York. What it has led to
is a New York where criminals feel emboldened.
In fact, Mr. Speaker, when you go into stores now in New York and
across this country, there are everyday things that we want to buy that
are locked up. Why? Criminals are emboldened because Democrats across
this country, and specifically in New York, have failed the American
people. They have made our State less safe.
To the family sitting in the gallery: Realize that you have elected
officials not only in this body but across this country who will fight
each and every day for our brothers and sisters in blue.
To Nicole, Samuel, and Gabriel: You may not have your father to walk
you to that first hockey game, to that first day of school, to
something important in your life, but realize that you have law
enforcement officers from across this country who will walk by your
side each and every day because that is exactly what we promised when
we took our oath. We promised that we would never forget our fallen.
Mr. Speaker, next week, thousands upon thousands of law enforcement
officers from around this country will come here to the Nation's
Capital to pay tribute and homage to the men and women who have paid
and made the ultimate sacrifice.
Just weeks ago, they started etching the names of hundreds of members
of law enforcement who gave their lives in 2023. Etched in one of the
statues at our National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is a quote.
It says: ``It is not how these officers died that made them heroes; it
is how they lived.''
To the family of our heroes who are here tonight, realize it is not
how they died that made them heroes. It is about how they lived. It is
about the change they made. It is about the arrests of the criminals
that they put behind bars. It is about how they went out there each and
every day to make their community that much safer. Realize that we will
carry on their legacy forever because that is our job.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues who are here this evening who
haven't worn the uniform and who are speaking out on behalf of all of
those who do. Law enforcement throughout this country needs to hear
that they have people supporting them, who will pass legislation to
keep them safe and to give them the resources they need to defend
themselves and keep their communities safe.
I thank Mr. Williams for gathering us here this evening to make sure
that we pay tribute to the fallen. I promise we will never forget.
[[Page H2865]]
{time} 2000
Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand with Mr.
D'Esposito. He has worn the badge and the uniform and knows of what he
speaks.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor all of America's
fallen law enforcement heroes.
A few weeks ago, as was stated, upstate New York suffered a terrible
loss when two law enforcement officers were fatally shot while pursuing
a driver who fled a traffic stop.
In my home State of Minnesota, we are still mourning the deaths of
two Burnsville police officers and a firefighter-paramedic who were
killed responding to a domestic crisis. These men were not only law
enforcement officers, they were husbands, fathers, friends, and beloved
members of our communities.
These tragedies are real reminders of the dangers our law enforcement
officers face every day. We can never take their sacrifice or service
for granted.
As a former police officer with over 20 years of experience on the
job, I have seen and experienced firsthand the violence committed
against law enforcement. However, in the years since leaving law
enforcement, I have noticed a dramatic rise in violent attacks against
America's law enforcement. I am deeply concerned by this troubling
trend of violence against those who protect and serve our communities.
A recent story published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported
that assaults against police in Minnesota are up 160 percent from 10
years ago. While some are asking why this is the case, to me the
answers are obvious.
The reckless defund the police movement and other antipolice rhetoric
pushed by those on the far left has emboldened criminals, worsening the
danger law enforcement faces when they put on that uniform.
This is unacceptable.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that one of the best ways to honor the law
enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice is by defending
the heroes who are still doing this dangerous and much-needed job.
As extreme politicians in Governor's mansions, district attorneys'
offices, State legislatures, and even here in Congress, enact policies
that make law enforcement less safe, it is up to the rest of us to
utterly reject these ugly attacks on the American law enforcement
officer.
As we honor those law enforcement officers who have given their lives
in service to others, let us also recommit to standing in defense of
their brothers and sisters in uniform now and forever.
Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Stauber for his
experience.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney).
Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Williams from New
York for yielding.
We are so grateful to the gentleman for doing this. I thank him for
organizing this Special Order in tribute to Syracuse police officers
Michael Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff Lieutenant Michael Hoosock.
As colleagues before have mentioned, I, too, just want to thank my
colleagues who are here who also answered the call to serve in this
very dangerous job and who deserve our respect and our renewed support
of them.
As we gather here today, just a few weeks since April 14, the fateful
day that these valiant men paid the ultimate sacrifice, our community
continues to mourn their lives and honor their unwavering dedication,
selfless service, and their legacies.
Lieutenant Michael Hoosock of Clay, New York, exemplified courage and
commitment throughout his two decades of service in the Onondaga County
Sheriff's Office. As a testament to his unwavering bravery, his actions
earned him the esteemed Medal of Valor in 2020.
As we remember him today, let us not only reflect on his achievements
as a police officer, but also on the legacy of love and devotion to his
family he leaves behind, survived by his beloved wife and three
children.
Since Officer Michael Jensen joined the Syracuse Police Department
just a few years ago on February 26, 2022, he had made an unforgettable
impact on the force and our entire community. His dedication to duty
and exemplary service earned him the distinguished title of Officer of
the Month just recently in December of 2023.
While his time among us was tragically cut short, his memory will be
forever in the hearts of his family, friends, fellow officers, and
everyone in his hometown of Rome, New York, my former district now
represented by Mr. Williams, but a very important part of upstate New
York.
As we honor their memory, let us also reaffirm our own unwavering
support for the brave men and women who continue to safeguard our
communities each and every day, especially those of the Syracuse Police
Department and the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office who continue to
defend our community in the wake of such a tragedy.
May the memory of these courageous men inspire us all to strive for a
future where our men and women in uniform are not taken for granted,
where their sacrifices are honored, and where their dedication to
protecting and serving our communities is met with the unwavering
respect and the support they deserve.
Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am so honored to be joined
by my New York colleagues. I welcome one more.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Molinaro).
Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congressman
Williams, for reminding us of the unyielding sacrifice and tragic loss
that far too many in law enforcement and their families face far too
often in this country.
Now to the families of Michael Hoosock and Michael Jensen, again, to
honor the memory of their loved one, two heroic men in upstate New York
who gave their lives in service to our community, is not only
commendable, it is sadly becoming all too necessary.
Yet again, we rise on another night to recognize and to memorialize
lives of two American heroes, in this case two officers in upstate New
York who gave the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their community.
Yet again, another city and county mourn the loss of two of their
finest.
Yet again, another two police officer families suffer unspeakable
loss.
These two men, Michael Hoosock and Michael Jensen, committed a
lifetime of service to Onondaga County and the city of Syracuse in New
York. They were routinely carrying out their obligations to a community
when--yet again, the same headlines we have seen consistently over and
over again throughout New York and throughout this country--they fell
victim to an assailant who began shooting at and killing them both.
The loss of these brave young officers is a tragedy that those
families, and sadly too many families across New York and across
America, see. They will never forget their loved one who was patrolling
the streets and keeping us safe when their lives ended too soon. It is
still a tragedy that should never have occurred.
I have spent the last 30 years in service in upstate New York. When
the State legislature, led by a single party and the Governor, embraced
criminal justice reforms, they ignored the very fact that they were
making our communities less safe. They ignored the fact that countless
members of law enforcement, district attorneys, and those of us who
have engaged in the criminal justice system for so long have said: that
cashless bail would result in a more dangerous community, cashless bail
would result in more victims being created, and cashless bail would end
the lives of law enforcement because it would tie the hands of police
officers. They ignored us.
Yet Democrats in Albany and the single-party rule in New York
continues to pass reckless policies just like cashless bail, the HALT
Act, the Clean Slate Act, and countless other policies that are making
it more and more difficult for law enforcement to do their job.
Because of it, we have seen not only a rise in crime in our
communities, but we have seen an increase in violence committed against
police officers and the death of law enforcement officials all too
often.
How much more would it take?
How many more children won't have their fathers to come home to and
their moms to love?
How many more families have to have an empty chair at the dining room
table?
[[Page H2866]]
How many more police organizations across New York must stand
shoulder to shoulder in a somber line mourning the loss of one of their
colleagues before the State of New York gets serious?
Of course we want a system that respects the right of a presumption
of innocence, but we need a system of laws that provides the resources,
support, and tools necessary for law enforcement to protect us and so
that they may protect themselves as their jobs only get more and more
dangerous.
I proudly represent communities in upstate New York just like my
colleague, Mr. Williams, and my colleague, Ms. Tenney, who want to
remind the leaders in Albany, New York, and in Washington that the
violence that we have seen and the loss of lives that we have
experienced isn't only occurring in big cities. Nevertheless, it is,
sadly, occurring in communities big and small like those we represent.
We have an obligation to the men and women who sacrifice for us to
keep them safe, and now we have the families of Michael Hoosock and
Michael Jensen to whom we owe reforms that make the jobs of the men and
women they left behind even safer.
So I, again, commend my colleague, Mr. Williams, for reminding us of
the loss of these two men, the sacrifice they made, and that we are
indebted to their families who now live on with great loss.
I hope that their loss is not in vain and that the message that we
get not only from tonight but from these tragedies that occur over and
over again is that those who are entrusted in States like New York to
make laws and keep us safe finally get serious about it.
Mr. Speaker, to those men and women who serve in law enforcement
across America and across New York, may you truly, genuinely come home
to a community that supports you and the families who love you.
Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Molinaro for his
comments.
I am, again, honored to be joined by another veteran of law
enforcement.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford).
Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for
yielding. I really appreciate him hosting this Special Order hour so
that we can recognize the sacrifice of these two men.
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 and intimidation, the
peaceful against violence and disorder, and to respect the
constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality, and justice.
Mr. Speaker, that is the code of ethics for every law enforcement
officer across this great country. That is the code and the oath that
binds us all together as law enforcement officers.
So as a former sheriff, I rise today with a truly heavy heart to
honor the life of Lieutenant Michael Hoosock and of Michael Jensen.
Mr. Speaker, as you have heard, on Sunday, April 14, of 2024,
Lieutenant Hoosock and Officer Jensen were killed in the line of duty
while responding to a traffic stop that went awry. These officers'
lives were suddenly and viciously taken while answering the call to
protect and serve their community.
Lieutenant Hoosock was a brave servant leader and a devoted public
servant, father, and husband. He served 17 years in the Onondaga County
Sheriff's Office where he served wherever he was needed the most, I am
told. Wherever they would send him, he gave his best.
He joined the sheriff's office in 2007, was promoted to lieutenant
and was the commander of his unit's bomb squad.
According to those closest to him, Mr. Speaker, if you knew
Lieutenant Hoosock, you felt like you were immediately his best friend.
{time} 2015
He is survived by his wife, Caitlin, and their three children, and I
cannot tell you how heartbroken we are for you.
Officer Michael Jensen was a lifelong athlete, who was also an
accountant before joining the Syracuse Police Department. He graduated
college with two business degrees and answered the call to serve his
community less than 3 years ago.
However, just this past December, Officer Jensen was named Officer of
the Month. That is the kind of officer he was. He is remembered for his
infectious smile and his personal interactions with the residents
throughout the Syracuse community.
My thoughts and prayers are with both officers' families and friends,
the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, the Syracuse Police Department,
and the greater Syracuse community as they mourn this great loss.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: ``The purpose in 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 lived and lived well.''
These fine officers laid down their lives protecting the community
that they loved. They lived their lives honorably, with compassion, and
dedicated to serving and making a positive difference in the lives of
others. Simply stated, Lieutenant Hoosock and Officer Jensen truly
lived well.
I pray that we may all live our lives worthy of their sacrifice. May
their service and sacrifice never be forgotten. May God bless them, and
may God bless their loved ones.
Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
Mississippi (Mr. Ezell), another veteran of law enforcement.
Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Williams for yielding time.
Mr. Speaker, this April, two families received that call that no law
enforcement leader ever wants to make. Onondaga County Sheriff's
Lieutenant Michael Hoosock and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen
were shot and killed in the line of duty.
I rise to honor and remember their legacies and to share my
sympathies and my prayers with the loving families they leave behind.
As a former sheriff and a 42-year law enforcement officer, I want to
make it abundantly clear that the sacrifices made by Lieutenant Hoosock
and Officer Jensen are not in vain. Like countless other officers from
upstate New York to south Mississippi, they put on the badge and went
out into their community to protect and serve, putting themselves in
harm's way because they believed in right and wrong.
Mr. Speaker, one of the things you learn very quickly during a career
in law enforcement is that the families of our officers serve alongside
them. Parents, siblings, spouses, and children each make tremendous
sacrifices because of their loved one's service to their community.
None is as difficult as the sacrifice the families and friends of these
two heroes have made.
My heart breaks for you and the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office and
Syracuse Police Department and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing
Lieutenant Hoosock and Officer Jensen. My prayers, as well as the
prayers of this body and the entire Nation, are with those loved ones
as you grieve.
Mr. Speaker, it is time for America to wake up. Wake up, America, and
realize what is going on in this country. Our law enforcement officers
are dying. Families are suffering. However, know that we are here with
you and will always be as we pray God bless you and give you comfort.
Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his
words.
I yield to the gentlewoman from Utah (Ms. Maloy).
Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express gratitude and
reverence for our law enforcement community. Self-governance, like what
we have in this country, is a meaningless exercise without the
enforcement of our laws. Enforcement of the law requires men and women
who step forward, put their lives on the line, and serve as guardians
over you, me, and our families. They do this never knowing when they
might need to give their last measure of devotion for us.
I express my deepest condolences to those who loved Syracuse Police
Officer Michael Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff's Lieutenant Michael
Hoosock, who died tragically in a shoot-out.
Over the weekend, as I prepared to rise in solidarity with my
colleagues from New York and my colleagues who are veterans of law
enforcement, I found out that we had a similar tragedy in Utah. Just
yesterday, we lost one of our own officers.
[[Page H2867]]
Santaquin, Utah, Police Officer Sergeant Bill Hooser left behind a
bride of 29 years, two daughters, a granddaughter, and a devastated
Utah law enforcement community.
Sergeant Hooser's shift yesterday started like it did probably every
day. He couldn't have known this was his last watch. He was tragically
killed in the line of duty, the duty of protecting Utahns and our
freedoms.
My deepest condolences and prayers to Sergeant Hooser's family. We
are grateful for what he did in his life.
My good friend, Sheriff Curtis, of Sevier County, Utah, summed up
some of my feelings. He said: When we lose someone who has made it
their life's purpose to make a difference for good, we all lose a small
piece of who we are as a community and as a Nation.
I rise today to make sure that families like the Hooser family in
Utah, the family who is sitting in the gallery right now, know that
America recognizes and appreciates their sacrifice. I thank you on
behalf of Utah's Second Congressional District and make sure you know
that you are not alone.
Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for
her words.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs.
Fischbach).
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Williams for putting
together this Special Order this evening, and I thank Cait Hoosock for
being here today. I am so deeply sorry for your loss and the loss of
Officer Jensen.
Every day, our law enforcement officers leave for work, and their
families can never be certain if they will return home. Know that I am
grieving with you and praying for you and your family.
The increase in violence we have seen against law enforcement in
recent years is unacceptable. As Mr. Stauber mentioned, this year in
Minnesota, two officers and a firefighter were killed when a man they
were negotiating with opened fire without warning.
Last year, in my district, Deputy Josh Owen was killed when
responding to a domestic violence call. His name will be added to the
memorial next week.
Mr. Speaker, the attack on law enforcement must stop. All of these
officers gave their lives protecting their communities. Every time we
hear another story like this, our hearts break all over again.
Our law enforcement deserves our gratitude and our respect. I am so
disappointed to see many people, including some in this Chamber, trying
to make our brave officers into villains. I stand in support of law
enforcement, and my Republican colleagues, like you have seen this
evening, are doing everything we can to pass legislation to protect and
thank our officers.
I know that, because of this disgusting movement of hatred toward our
officers, we must, but our voices need to be strong. We must support
law enforcement.
I have introduced legislation to encourage the recruitment of the
next generation of law enforcement through a grant program. I have
supported legislation to empower officers to do their jobs effectively,
and I have asked the Judiciary Committee to investigate the
weaponization of government against law enforcement.
I will continue to do everything in my power to support our police
officers because they support all of us. God bless all of our law
enforcement officers, and I thank them for the job that they do.
Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for
her words.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler).
Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Williams) for bringing us here today to recognize Lieutenant Michael
Hoosock and Officer Michael Jensen, two heroes who gave of themselves
in service to our community.
As the Bible teaches us: ``Greater love has no man than this, than to
lay down his life for his friends.''
Lieutenant Hoosock and Officer Jensen laid down their life in defense
of our community to ensure the safety and the well-being of our
residents. They answered the call of duty and went above and beyond and
made the ultimate sacrifice. It wasn't just a sacrifice they alone
made. It was a sacrifice that their families made.
To Cait, Nicole, Samuel, and Gabriel, there are no words that will
make this better. There are no words that will make this okay. We
grieve with you. Our heart breaks for you, and we will be here to
support you.
This morning, I spent time at the Brinks robbery memorial for slain
Nyack Police Sergeant Edward O'Grady, Police Officer Waverly Brown, and
Brinks guard Peter Paige. Nearly 43 years ago, they were killed in the
1981 Brinks robbery. Nine children were left fatherless.
Every year, we gather on October 20 to remember those two officers
and security guard who died in that horrific robbery. Additionally,
every year, one by one, their killers were released.
We have seen in New York, over the last 6 years, 37 cop killers
released. The depraved indifference for law enforcement is
unconscionable because the reality is, if we don't respect law
enforcement, if we don't respect the rule of law, there is no society.
The reason we have seen a rapid increase in crime in New York is
precisely because there is no respect for the rule of law, and people
do not believe there are consequences for actions.
Cashless bail will go down as the single stupidest policy that has
ever been signed into law anywhere. Since that law took effect, over 40
percent of those that have been arrested for a felony offense and then
released under cashless bail have been rearrested for committing
another offense.
{time} 2030
You look at cashless bail, you look at Raise the Age, the HALT Act,
Clean Slate, and the continued parole for unrepentant cop killers, and
as a result we have a lawless society.
Last year, $4 billion in retail theft. Why? Because quality of life
crimes aren't prosecuted any more in New York. We let people walk right
out of the store with whatever they want.
The lawlessness must come to an end. Respect for law enforcement,
putting victims above criminals is essential. Without it, we will
continue to be in this place where cops are murdered and taken away
from their families.
It is why as a member of the State legislature I introduced a bill
that would ensure life without the possibility of parole, pardon, or
clemency for killing a law enforcement officer. If we cannot respect
our law enforcement officers, if we cannot stand up for them and ensure
their safety as they stand up for all of us and ensure ours, then we do
not deserve a safe and just society.
To the family of Lieutenant Hoosock and Officer Jensen, we will
continue to fight for justice for you and to ensure that other families
don't have to endure this horrific tragedy.
Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, to the Hoosock family and to
the Jensen family, I promised that those two would be honored by our
Nation, that they would be honored in this esteemed place, and that you
too would be recognized and honored. Mr. Speaker, I thank them for
honoring us with their presence.
I am grateful to each Representative who spoke this evening. Somber
times like these invite us to reflect and to take a closer look at many
things that so often we take for granted.
There exists in this world profound evil, manifesting itself in many
ways. What stands between that evil and innocent people? Every single
day, the men and women serving in law enforcement across America stand
courageously in that treacherous place.
As you go about your day in safety, in comfort, the vigilance of
these men and women may fade into the background, but to them and to
their families, the risk inherent in their line of work never fades.
They clock in every day with the knowledge that they place themselves
in heightened danger whenever they put on that uniform, and they do so
for our sake.
We are privileged to forget, to enjoy the safety and comfort that are
a direct result of their labor, but we are obliged to remember. Times
like these remind us forcefully, tragically, that evil and danger are
ever present, but that heroes still exist amongst us. They are heroes
like Lieutenant Michael Hoosock, heroes like Officer Michael Jensen,
heroes like every single man and woman behind the badge and
[[Page H2868]]
in front of all decent folks they protect and serve, and their
families.
I thank them for joining us today.
To America, I would say, if you know any folks that serve in law
enforcement, right now is a good time to thank them. Our police
officers, firefighters, EMS, and their families dedicate their lives so
that we may be safe. Recognizing the commitment and sacrifice they
voluntarily make is something we all can and we should do. Words may
only accomplish so much, but they do mean something. Convey it to those
around you as you see them, that you recognize their sacrifice, and
that they are not alone and not forgotten.
I will start by thanking Caitlin Hoosock and her children--Nikki,
Gabe, Sam--who I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know today. I thank
them for joining us. Once again, I humbly speak, for everyone here and
for everyone watching, that you are not alone.
Mr. Speaker, I have concluded this Special Order, I have no further
speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.
____________________