[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 85 (Thursday, May 16, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3282-H3283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OF NEW MEXICO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bost). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Vasquez) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the courageous law 
enforcement officers of New Mexico who have made the ultimate 
sacrifices for their communities.
  Our law enforcement officers are brave public servants who put their 
lives on the line every day to serve the people of New Mexico. Through 
their bravery, they make our communities safer and serve as models of 
justice, strength, and integrity.
  This National Police Week, I want to recognize and honor the New 
Mexico officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty just this 
year: Curry County Sheriff Michael Reeves, Alamogordo Police Department 
Officer Anthony Ferguson, Alamogordo Police Department Patrolman James 
Sides, New Mexico State Patrolman Justin Hare, and Las Cruces Police 
Department Patrol Officer Jonah Hernandez.
  As we reflect on the bravery and service of these officers, I would 
like to recognize the loved ones they left behind: their families, 
friends, and colleagues. Just as we won't forget the sacrifices made by 
these officers, we will not forget the loss that so many feel in their 
absence.
  To their families who grieve their loss today: We owe you our immense 
support and gratitude.
  Choosing a career in law enforcement is not an easy choice. In fact, 
it comes with unimaginable risks and challenges that the majority of 
the American public will never have to face. They are our peacekeepers, 
our first responders, and the protectors of civil society.
  There is still more that we can do to support our police officers, 
their mental health, their physical health, and

[[Page H3283]]

their well-being, as well as that of their families. I will continue to 
support measures in Congress to ensure every officer has the tools and 
stability that they need to serve our communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle 
to do the same.
  On behalf of all New Mexicans, I thank our fallen officers, again, 
for their service and sacrifice.


                        Honoring the Rule of Law

  Mr. VASQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, part of the reason why folks look to the 
United States as a beacon of democracy and justice is because we honor, 
respect, and follow the rule of law.
  Assault in this Nation is never acceptable, no matter the perpetrator 
or the cause, never. When it comes to our police officers and first 
responders, that is especially important.
  My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have introduced a bill 
meant to address this issue and specifically target immigrants in this 
country, and, unfortunately, they could not help themselves but to 
introduce inflammatory and anti-immigrant language that distorts what 
we could accomplish if we were actually willing to work together to 
find real solutions to our Nation's broken immigration system. That is 
why I introduced amendments to ensure what we can all agree on: due 
process, justice, and the rule of law to which we are all entitled to 
in this country.
  Let me be clear: If anyone is convicted of an offense involving 
assault of a law enforcement officer, then they should be held 
accountable. However, that is not the case in the bill that Republicans 
have proposed.
  I remain committed to finding solutions based in truth and justice 
that address public safety concerns with legislators on both sides of 
the aisle that also support law enforcement and their families.

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