[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 188 (Wednesday, December 18, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H7329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            ALWAYS ON WATCH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Mast) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, my community lost three brave Palm Beach 
County Sheriff's Deputies in a very tragic crash: Deputy Ignacio 
``Dan'' Diaz, Deputy Ralph ``Butch'' Waller, and Corporal Luis Paez.
  I did know these men. I can't pretend that I knew them well, but we 
shared a handshake at various Veterans Days parades throughout the 
years, nods as we were in the same motorcade routes, and camaraderie as 
we fired up our Harleys and hit the road on motorcycle runs during 
times like the holidays, just like now.
  These men, they were always present. They were always on watch 
because it was their calling to protect every person in our community 
from danger, whether they knew them well or not. They knew the hazards 
of their chosen profession. All day, every day, they patrolled inches 
away from death.
  Yet, these men, they never hesitated. They never stepped aside and 
asked somebody else to face the danger. Each day, they woke up, they 
put on their badge, their body armor, they holstered their pistols, 
they left their families, and they went to work.
  Courage for them was as natural as breathing. Plain and simple, they 
were warriors, strong, selfless, committed to protecting others. We 
thank God for these men. We thank God for their families who shared 
these patriots with us each and every day, and we thank God for their 
dedication to duty, which was a beacon of selflessness.
  I ask that my colleagues rise and join me in a moment of silence to 
honor these brave men for their sacrifice. I would ask that the gallery 
rise as well since they are here listening and let us honor these 
deputies in a moment of silence. I ask that my colleagues rise to honor 
these deputies in a moment of silence.

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