Honoring Fallen Police Officers

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas not only for yielding, but for getting this Special Order together on such a special issue.

   Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Harris County Deputy Sheriff Darren Goforth and all of America's law enforcement officers. On Friday, August 28, Deputy Goforth was ambushed and murdered while refueling his patrol car in Houston, Texas.

   I am proud to represent a portion of the city. Deputy Goforth was a committed 10-year veteran of the police force, a proud husband, and the father of two.

   Tragically, his life was cut short for one simple reason: his uniform. It is hard to express my outrage and my contempt for those who have incited this war of hatred and violence toward our Nation's law enforcement officers.

   Police officers take an oath to protect and to serve, and it is time they receive the same level of commitment and protection in return.

   In August alone, we have lost five other police officers. In 2015, we have seen 24 law enforcement officers gunned down. These brave men and women put their lives on the line every single day for our communities and for the safety of our families. They deserve our support and our respect, and it is a travesty that this situation has gotten to this point.

   This is not an issue of whose life matters most. This is a matter of right and of wrong. And what we have seen in recent weeks is absolutely wrong, and it must end now.

   Our community and elected leaders, starting with the President of the United States, must stand up for what is right and denounce the hatred being directed at our law enforcement personnel in this country.

   I, personally, could not be more thankful and proud of the men and women who police our communities. Last week, I was honored to join in a community celebration of the men and women in blue of Tyler County, Texas, my home--and all over America, as a matter of fact.

   We also gathered together in Jasper County, Texas, on Saturday to honor and rally support for America's first responders; and this week, much of my staff, while I am up here serving in Congress, will be attending an event recognizing the law enforcement personnel of Hardin County, Texas.

   Our law enforcement officers have a very difficult job, and it is a shame that the violent rhetoric of a very few are putting their lives at greater risk.

   During this difficult time, I, along with an overwhelming majority of Americans, stand in strong solidarity with our law enforcement officers and offer them and their families our unwavering commitment, attention, and support.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source