Back the Blue

Floor Speech

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Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Florida, Mrs. Cammack, for having this and honoring law enforcement in this Special Order.

Madam Speaker, the surge and violence across the country and the targeted attacks on our brave law enforcement officers are happening thanks to the Democrats' relentless calls to defund the police.

The left has brazenly stripped the police departments of necessary funding and enacted new laws that actually ensure that violent criminals have the freedom to inflict more harm. To be clear, violent criminals are being released on little to no bail only to kill again.

This is the Democrats' America. These shameful and purely political policies put criminals above law-abiding citizens. Our law enforcement officials should be respected and honored for their role in keeping us safe.

Tonight, I want to highlight one such individual, Tyler County native, growing up in Spurger, Texas, Texas Ranger, Joe Haralson, from my county, Tyler County, Texas.

Joe was an Army infantryman during the Vietnam war and earned the Bronze Star and Air Medal, with Oak Leaf Clusters for both, for his heroic service. Less than a year after returning home in Vietnam from 1971, Joe enrolled himself in the Department of Public Safety's 18-week training academy in Austin, Texas. After a decade of hard work as a DPS officer, Joe finally received his Texas Ranger badge.

This year marks Joe's 41st year with the Texas Rangers. He is the longest serving Texas Ranger in Texas' illustrious history, and what a hero he is. He has served his fellow Texans for more than half a century, and his time in law enforcement is nothing short of amazing and inspiring.

Over the decades, Joe has worked on cases involving murders, robberies, kidnappings, rapes, and much more. He has seen the face of evil countless times, yet is one of the humblest and kindness men that you will ever meet.

It is a privilege to have this American patriot as a friend, share his story, express my sincerest gratitude for his devotion to our community and to our State of Texas. These are the heroes that radical Democrats have abandoned, but I never will.

God bless you, Joe.

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