[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6167]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah 
(Mr. Stewart) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. STEWART. Mr. Speaker, along with many of my colleagues, I rise 
today to honor National Police Week.
  One of the favorite things that I get to do as a Member of Congress 
is to ride with police officers as they go about their duties, and from 
St. George to Salt Lake City I have had the opportunity to do this.
  Sadly, many in our society, particularly among the press, have become 
highly critical of law enforcement officers. Now, I recognize that not 
all law enforcement officers are perfect. People make mistakes. We all 
do. But we can't let the mistakes of a few tarnish the name of such a 
noble and a brave profession.
  Such criticism of police efforts doesn't come without a cost. It 
forces the officers to pull back, to become overly cautious, and to 
view every encounter that they may have through the prism of a lens of 
a media event.
  What is the result of this? We now know that crime rates have been 
rising across the country. Interestingly and sadly, they are rising in 
some of the poorest communities, the communities that most need the 
help of an effective police force.
  Now more than ever we need brave men and women who are willing to 
serve and to protect. As I have said, I have had the chance to go on 
several ride-alongs with several police departments. Again and again I 
have been impressed with their hard work, their professionalism, and 
their willingness to put themselves at risk to protect other people.
  There is a great example of this. I am reminded of the heroic actions 
of Officer Hone, a police officer who in the last year saved two young 
girls in Salt Lake City. A disturbed man who had recently been released 
from prison and was on drugs broke into the home of two sisters, both 
of them college students. He began to viciously attack them. He took a 
knife and attempted to take their lives.
  Fortunately, Officer Hone was in the area, heard the screams of these 
young girls, and just seconds before the intruder expected to take the 
life of one of them, this heroic officer quickly diffused the 
situation, literally saving her life.
  Bree, the sister who was saved, said of this officer, ``He was so 
professional and calm. Right when we made eye contact, I knew I was 
safe. It's a miracle that he had so much composure. He was our angel.''
  This is just one example of the thousands of courageous police 
officers we have in America. I am proud to live in a country where 
professionals are ready to put their lives at risk in order to serve 
and to protect members of their community.
  Let us honor these police officers, their courage, their 
selflessness, and their dedication. Let us honor them not just this 
week, but, frankly, all year round for the sacrifices they make for us.

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