National Police Week

Floor Speech

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Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to be joined by my colleagues for this Police Week Special Order.

Law enforcement across this country is putting their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and 1 week per year honoring them will never be enough. I want to respect the time of our colleagues so I will turn the time over to them before I give my remarks.

Mrs. BIGGS of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, during National Police Week, we honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who put on the badge each day, knowing the risks that come with serving others.

Today, I rise to remember Greenwood Police Officer Don ``DJ'' Keller who passed away earlier this week while faithfully serving his community.

Officer Keller was only 31 years old. He was a fellow National Guardsman, a husband, and a father. He represented the very best of law enforcement.

The Greenwood community, the Third District, and the entire State of South Carolina mourn his loss. We also lift up his family, his fellow officers, and all who knew and loved him.

Scripture tells us in Matthew 5:9, ``Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.''

Officer Keller lived as a peacemaker. His service, sacrifice, and example will not be forgotten. May God bless Officer Keller, his family, and every law enforcement officer serving our communities.

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Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from South Carolina for her great message, and I appreciate her attending this Special Order.

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Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for her inspiring message. It is so personal as well, and I appreciate her willingness to share.

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Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman) for his message, and I appreciate him for sharing the two incredible, brave individuals.

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Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kansas for his heartwarming and thoughtful remarks on a very important week. I know that the families of those officers will appreciate the focus, attention, and prayers.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their comments. National Police Week is about brave, sacrificial people. It is about families. It is about heroes, Mr. Speaker, like Sergeant Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada, whose service and dedication to public safety left a lasting impact on northern Utah.

Sergeant Sorenson and Officer Estrada faithfully served their communities for many years before tragically being killed in the line of duty. While there are no words to ease the pain of their passing, it has been incredible to see the Tremonton, Garland, and greater Utah communities rally in support and appreciation for their families and our first responders.

This National Police Week, we are backing the blue and standing up for those who risk their lives to protect us.

I am proud to see Sergeant Sorenson and Officer Estrada's names being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall here in D.C. Of course, we wish that were not the case, but it is an honor to be able to see them listed among the brave. Their service, like that of many others who have died on the job, is simply not forgotten.

This National Police Week is dedicated to the brave men and women of law enforcement who make it so we can leave with peace of mind and so we can feel confident that our families are safe.

Mr. Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues who joined me tonight. I yield back the balance of my time.

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