[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H3464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  (Mr. Costa of California was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to 
honor the brave men and women, those in blue in law enforcement who put 
the badge on every day and make the choice to serve their communities, 
and to remember the officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice whose 
lives have been lost in the line of duty, and their families who 
continue to carry that sacrifice with them every single day.
  In the San Joaquin Valley that I represent, our law enforcement 
officers are more than public servants. They are coaches. They are 
mentors. They are neighbors. They are parents and members of our 
communities that they protect.
  This week, we are honored to have Sergeant Sammy Ashworth, Sergeant 
Roland Rendon, and Detective Chris Franks of the Fresno Police 
Department Honor Guard, here in Washington to represent the Central 
Valley and honoring fallen officers from across the country. Their 
presence here is a reminder of deep respect we owe to every officer who 
has answered the call to serve.
  We have seen firsthand in Fresno what can happen when law enforcement 
has the tools, the technology, the training, the community, and the 
support they need to succeed.
  Last year, Fresno saw its homicide rate fall to a 51-year all-time 
low. Shootings, robberies, aggravated assaults, and motor vehicles 
theft also declined significantly.
  Fresno police recovered more than 1,500-plus crime-related firearms 
and achieved a homicide clearance rate above the national average, a 
tribute to this tremendous department.
  Those results don't happen by accident. They happen because officers 
are doing their work every single day, 365 days a year. They happen 
because departments have invested in technology and recruitment and 
prevention and partnerships with the community to have the best 
personnel there and to support them.
  That is why we must continue to support law enforcement with funding, 
resources, and training necessary to protect our community safely and 
effectively.

                              {time}  1100

  Last year, I was proud to secure $1 million for the Orange Cove City 
Police Department to help relocate their current department into a new 
facility that will strengthen public safety for the community that they 
serve.
  In addition, we were able to obtain another $1 million for the 
Parlier Police Department to renovate its facilities and improve 
operating conditions while supporting public safety in the valley.
  Public safety is bigger than policing alone. If we really want to 
have safer communities across our country, we must invest in 
prevention, as well. Prevention is worth a pound of cure.
  When families can afford groceries, healthcare, childcare, and 
housing, when young people have access to good schools and job 
opportunities, and when people have pathways to succeed, communities 
become stronger and crime declines. That is a simple matter of fact.
  Food security is national security. Economic security is public 
safety. Think about it in those ways. When people are left behind, when 
costs continue to rise, and when support systems disappear, the 
pressure on families and communities grows.
  We cannot expect law enforcement alone to carry every burden created 
by poverty, addiction, mental health challenges, and economic 
instability.
  Supporting public safety means supporting both officers who work to 
protect our communities and the families working hard to build better 
lives.
  Mr. Speaker, today, during National Police Week, I thank every law 
enforcement officer serving our communities, not only in the 21st 
Congressional District but throughout the country, every family that 
stands beside them, and every officer who made the ultimate sacrifice 
in service to our Nation.
  We honor them. We support them. We will never forget them.
  Mr. Speaker, I close by saying: God bless all of those men and women 
who serve to protect our communities every day, 365 days of the year. 
They are truly the epitome of public service, and we thank all of them.

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