[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12114]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               THE TRAGIC LOSS OF OFFICER MELVIN SANTIAGO

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the tragic loss 
of Melvin Santiago, a young police officer from Jersey City, New 
Jersey.
  Melvin Santiago, at just 23 years old, made the ultimate sacrifice 
and gave his life to protect his community. Officer Santiago served as 
a role model for both his family and his community, working hard to set 
a positive example for his brothers and cousins.
  He knew from an early age he wanted to become a police officer, to 
follow in the footsteps of his uncle, a retired detective of the Jersey 
City Police Department.
  His death is a deep loss, not only to his mom, Cathy; dad, Melvin, 
Sr.; stepfather, Alex McBride; his brothers, Jordan and Alex, Jr.; but 
to the entire city of Jersey City.
  We depend on our police officers such as Melvin and the men and women 
of the Jersey City Police Department to protect us and give us trust 
that there is order in the world. It is a sacrifice too often taken for 
granted.
  I would like to express my condolences and gratitude to the family of 
Melvin Santiago and thank all the public safety personnel, police 
officers, fire, and EMS on the daily sacrifices that they make to 
protect us.

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