Authorizing the Use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of H. Con. Res. 15, which authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 42nd Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition.

As the ranking member of the subcommittee that oversees our public buildings, it is my honor to carry this resolution alongside subcommittee chair, Mr. Perry.

The memorial service, which will be held on May 15, will be coordinated with the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police, and it will honor 557 officers whose names will be added to the memorial, including 9 from Nevada.

The memorial will also continue to recognize the sacrifice of law enforcement during the pandemic as they served among the millions of frontline and essential workers who day in and day out risked their lives and their families' safety to keep us safe while we slowed the spread of that deadly virus.

We cannot bring back those that we have lost, but we can honor the sacrifice they made to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities safe.

I note the officers from southern Nevada who made the ultimate sacrifice: Bailiff Gerald ``Bear'' Smith served in the Pahrump Justice Court since 2009, and he is remembered for his constant compassion and going out of his way to do anything he could to help the people of Pahrump.

Bailiff Smith passed away on January 18, 2021, from complications as a result of contracting COVID in the line of duty.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Officer Closi, Philip Closi, who served in the department for 21 years, including working closely with local students as part of the DARE program. He previously served as a firefighter and paramedic.

Officer Closi passed away on August 11, 2021, from complications, again, as a result of contracting COVID in the line of duty.

Sergeant Douglas King served 17 years in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and prior to his death was set to receive the department's Medal of Honor for placing himself in danger to save the life of a domestic violence victim.

On August 23, 2021, Sergeant King passed away from complications as a result of contracting COVID in the line of duty.

Senior Federal Air Marshal Shawn Hennessee was a member of the Federal Air Marshal Service for nearly 19 years and spent an additional 13 years serving in the U.S. Air Force.

Based out of the Las Vegas field office, he dedicated his life to protecting passengers and crew from threats to their safety in the skies.

Federal Air Marshal Hennessee passed away on August 26, 2021, from complications as a result of contracting COVID in the line of duty.

Police Officer Edward Contreras served the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for over 15 years, in addition to his service in the U.S. Marine Corps where he was deployed to both Somalia and Iraq.

Officer Contreras passed away on September 28, 2021, from complications as a result of contracting COVID in the line of duty.

Special U.S. Deputy Marshal Jose Gomez was a United States Marine Corps Reserve veteran who served with the United States Marshals Service for 22 years.

While serving at the Lloyd D. George Courthouse in Las Vegas, Special Deputy Gomez contracted COVID-19 in the line of duty and passed away on February 6, 2022.

This was a cruel disease that took away many of our very brave frontline law enforcement and emergency responders.

Detective Justin Terry humbly served in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for nearly 21 years and was committed to protecting children in the community from sexual assault and abuse.

A sworn task force officer with the U.S. Marshals Office, Detective Terry passed away on June 10, 2022, after a tragic accident in the northwest valley.

Police Officer Truong Thai was proud to be a Vietnamese-American officer in Las Vegas. A 23-year veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, he dedicated his time on patrol and served in the financial crimes unit and mentored countless new recruits.

On October 13, 2022, Officer Thai was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call.

My condolences are with the families and loved ones of these brave public servants and all of those who are mourning the loss of the 557 courageous men and women whose duty and sacrifice will be commemorated at this year's memorial.

I urge the House to join me in supporting this tribute to our fallen law officers. It is the least that we can do.

Mr. Speaker, I will close by saying that this is a very fitting thing for us to do here on the Capitol Grounds, and I hope that all our colleagues will join Mr. Perry and me in voting in favor of this memorial service.

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