[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4452-H4453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               MOMENT OF SILENCE HONORING MICHAEL PAHIRA

  (Mr. MEUSER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise alongside my colleagues with a heavy 
heart with the Pennsylvania delegation to honor the courageous life and 
tragic loss of Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael Pahira who was killed 
earlier this month in the line of duty.
  Trooper Michael Pahira was born and raised in my district. He was 
named for his father, Michael Sr., and was known as Mikey throughout 
his life.
  Trooper Pahira graduated from North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High 
School in 2001 where he was a standout football and wrestling star.
  After attending East Stroudsburg University, Michael answered the 
call of service and entered the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, 
graduating in 2007 as a proud member of 124th Cadet Class of 
Pennsylvania State Troopers.
  Over the next two decades, Trooper Pahira would serve his State with 
distinction protecting communities in Lehighton, Schuylkill Haven, and 
Frackville.
  I attended the funeral service for Trooper Pahira last week alongside 
his parents, Michael Sr. and Patricia; his sister, Jennifer; and 
thousands of community members; fellow police officers; friends, and 
law enforcement from throughout the State who gathered to honor his 
legacy.
  The stories shared by those who knew him best painted the picture of 
a man of character, humility, and unwavering dedication. Respect was a 
constant theme throughout the service. Trooper Pahira lived a life 
defined by respect for his community, his family, and his fellow 
troopers.
  We can honor the memory of Trooper Pahira and show more respect for 
the men and women of law enforcement and the communities they serve by 
implementing some commonsense legislation that can prevent such 
senseless tragedies from happening again.
  On the morning of July 1, Trooper Pahira was on duty conducting a 
routine commercial vehicle inspection on Route 81 in Schuylkill County 
when a truck driven by a Michael Bon struck and killed him. Bon was in 
the country illegally, ordered to deport, did not do so, and was 
operating a commercial vehicle with a nondomiciled commercial driver's 
license issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  I am calling on every Member of Congress to support Dalilah's Law to 
bring common sense and strength in commercial driver's license 
requirements, ensuring those with commercial driver's licenses can read 
English and are in the United States with legal status. It is our duty 
to do all we can to provide such safety for law enforcement and 
everyone on America's roadways.
  Trooper Pahira faithfully served the people of Pennsylvania for 
nearly two decades, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten.
  On behalf of the entire Pennsylvania delegation, I want to offer our 
deepest sorrow and condolences to the Pahira family; his lifelong 
friends; the great, brave Pennsylvania State Troopers; and all those 
mourning Mikey's loss.
  In honor of Trooper Michael Pahira's life of service, I ask my 
colleagues to join us in a moment of silence.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. I invite all Members in the Chamber as well 
as those in the gallery to rise for a moment of silence.

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