[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 14, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  (Ms. Gillen of New York was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Ms. GILLEN. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of National Police Week, and 
on behalf of New York's Fourth Congressional District, I am proud to 
stand here today to honor our brave men and women in law enforcement. 
Every day, our officers are on the front lines of the most urgent 
public safety challenges in service to our community.
  When disaster strikes and people are in need, our law enforcement 
officers are the first to respond. Despite the risks, the long hours, 
and the constant stress, hundreds of thousands of officers wake up each 
day, put on their badge, and answer the call. They do it for us, for 
our loved ones, and for our communities.
  This week serves as a solemn reminder of the dangers that our 
officers face daily. Without law enforcement, we would not enjoy the 
security we often take for granted. With courage and with bravery, our 
officers run toward danger every day to keep us and our loved ones 
safe.
  Today, we honor Nassau County's own who gave their lives in the line 
of duty. Among them are Officers Erick Contreras, Christopher Cizmarik, 
Kevin Canavan, and Philip Schifini of the Nassau County Police 
Department who bravely served our community on 9/11, one of the darkest 
days in American history.

                              {time}  1100

  In the aftermath of the worst terrorist attack on American soil, they 
are among the brave first responders who ran toward danger, working 
tirelessly among the toxic rubble at Ground Zero. Years later, all four 
would tragically lose their lives caused by the toxins that they were 
exposed to in their heroic efforts. This is a painful reminder of the 
lasting cost of their selfless service.
  Unfortunately, thousands of our heroic law enforcement officers, 
firefighters, and emergency personnel who bravely answered the call on 
the darkest day in our Nation's history continue to suffer from life-
threatening cancers, respiratory diseases, and other debilitating 
conditions from the toxins at Ground Zero.
  That is why I was proud to help reintroduce the bipartisan 9/11 
Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act, which would 
permanently fix the current funding shortfalls in the World Trade 
Center Health Program.
  We owe it to our 9/11 first responders to ensure that the programs 
they rely on will be fully funded and fully staffed.
  In addition, last year, we also lost Officer Jonathan Diller who 
proudly served with the NYPD. Tragically, he was killed last year while 
conducting a routine traffic stop in Queens.
  In just 3 years on the force, Detective Diller made over 70 arrests 
and was honored with three Excellent Police Duty medals. His colleagues 
remember him as a bright, positive presence, always eager to learn, 
deeply dedicated, and truly passionate about the job he loved.
  The names I mentioned are not just names on a list. They were 
fathers, brothers, sons, and friends. They were pillars in their 
department and in their communities, whose courage will never be 
forgotten, and their sacrifice will never be in vain.
  On behalf of all of Long Island, we will never forget those who laid 
down their lives in service to others. As we mark Police Week, may God 
bless the officers who gave up their lives to keep Americans safe and 
may He give their loved ones comfort.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank, honor, and stand with all of our officers, 
past, present, and future.

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