Issues of the Day

Floor Speech

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Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate and honor our brave men and women in law enforcement who paid the ultimate price to protect and serve our communities and preserve our American way of life.

In our Nation's Capital, there is a 304-foot-long wall, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, that features the names of more than 22,000 officers who sacrificed themselves in the line of duty. Beyond this magnificent architecture, the legacy of service, dedication, and hard work remains etched in every American heart and continues to inspire generations of police officers.

Throughout our Nation, our men and women in blue risk their lives to fight crime, respond to emergencies, and keep our communities safe.

During National Police Week, I highlight courageous officers who have gone above and beyond to serve others.

The Riverton Police Department recently recognized the Violent Fugitive Apprehension and Suppression Team, VFAST, as Partner of the Year. It deploys innovative investigative methods to apprehend violent fugitives.

Officer Kevin Salmon, a combat veteran and a Purple Heart recipient, received the inaugural Fraternal Order of Police officer wellness award due to his pioneering work to promote the wellness, the mental and physical health of his fellow officers.

The team at the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake has built a relationship of trust and confidence between law enforcement officers and the Salt Lake community to help at-risk youth pursue life- changing academic and professional opportunities.

Detective Marisha Manzano is a beloved member of the Herriman police force dedicated to quality education, welfare, and safety of students in her role as a school resource officer at Copper Mountain Middle School in Herriman, Utah.

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force established by Saratoga Springs is at the forefront of the battle against human traffickers and online predators.

It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent and champion the extraordinary police forces in my district and throughout the country. We began our Nation with certain promises--the promise of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness--and that can only happen in an environment of safety. The fact that we have the most robust middle class, the biggest dreamers, the most innovative States in the world today is because we have a nation of safety.

I thank all those who have given their lives, given their efforts to get up every single morning to go out and protect this Nation and come back home to their family knowing they have done their job to make sure we stay safe.

To all my friends in law enforcement, thank you for all you do and happy National Police Week.

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