[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 15 (Friday, January 24, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO U.S. CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER MARK GAZELLE

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I join my colleagues in celebrating the 
career of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Mark Gazelle, who is retiring in 
January after 34 years of service with the force.
  Joining the U.S. Capitol Police in 1991, Officer Gazelle was first 
assigned to the Capitol Division, First Responders Specialty Unit, 
before he joined the Mountain Bike Unit. He joined the Senate Chamber 
Section in 1995 as a plainclothes officer, where he served the 
remainder of his career on the section. Officer Gazelle has taken 
command during multiple events as the Senate floor officer and has been 
instrumental in training and mentoring newer officers and staff around 
the Chamber.
  Officer Gazelle has served in the U.S. Capitol Police Ceremonial 
Unit, where he rose through the ranks to become the assistant commander 
of the unit. The Ceremonial Unit is activated in high-profile 
congressional events, to include Presidential inaugurations, 
Congressional Gold Medal ceremonies, statue dedications, and lying in 
state ceremonies.
  Officer Gazelle showed an unwavering commitment to keeping others 
safe, and these Halls undoubtedly remained safer because of his 
service. Officer Gazelle represents everything that is great about our 
country, and we are all better off for his selfless sense of duty and 
his tireless commitment to our safety. I thank Officer Gazelle for his 
years of service, and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

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