Ariel Rios Federal Building

Floor Speech

I thank Representative Curbelo.

I am pleased that this bill is being considered by the House this afternoon during National Police Week. I also appreciate Subcommittee Chairman Barletta's support of this measure and the support of the other members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, who also agreed to be original cosponsors of this great bill, which would name the current headquarters of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or the ATF, after fallen Special Agent Ariel Rios.

As was mentioned by my colleague, Agent Rios was born in 1954. He attended the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan, and he graduated with a degree in criminal justice in 1976. Agent Rios immediately started his career in criminal justice by working for the Department of Corrections in both Washington, D.C., and in New York City. Later, he joined the ATF in 1978 and developed a reputation as an effective law enforcement officer.

In 1982, Agent Rios was working as a member of Vice President George H. W. Bush's anti-drug task force. It was here that he was shot and killed while working undercover to unravel a drug ring in Miami, Florida.

In 1985, Congress saw fit to honor the ultimate sacrifice that Special Agent Rios made. Congress acknowledged the fact that he was the first ATF agent to die in the line of duty by naming the headquarters of the ATF building the Ariel Rios Memorial Building. This name stood for nearly 30 years until the building was renamed for President Clinton in 2012 so as to reflect the fact that the old building now housed the EPA. Unfortunately, the ``Ariel Rios'' name was not transferred to the new ATF headquarters.

This bill seeks to correct this omission and name the new ATF headquarters as the Ariel Rios Federal Building.

As a former police officer, I have a special appreciation for the risks that face officers each and every day. Agent Rios' death serves as a reminder that when law enforcement officers walk out the door and leave their families for the day, they are putting their lives on the line to protect our communities.

It is fitting that the House is considering this legislation during National Police Week, which is an annual event when thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in events that honor those who have been killed in the line of duty. By naming the ATF headquarters after Mr. Rios, a front line law enforcement officer, we offer a very public tribute to the commemoration of the sacrifices that too many officers have made.

This legislation comes at the request of many current and former agents who would not rest until this recognition was restored to Special Agent Rios. Because of their tireless efforts, the House will vote today to restore the name of Special Agent Rios to the ATF headquarters. This is an overdue and well-deserved acknowledgment of both Special Agent Rios and of the nearly 20,000 law enforcement agents who have died in the line of duty in the United States of America.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that so many on both sides of the aisle from our committee have agreed to cosponsor this legislation. I am also honored that Mr. Rogers, the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, supports this bill.

Former President George H. W. Bush has written Congress in support of naming this building after Special Agent Rios, as have several former Directors of the ATF and as have several organizations that represent law enforcement officers.

I am very proud that this legislation is being considered today, and I urge my colleagues to support my bipartisan bill that honors Special Agent Rios.

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Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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