Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act Of 2009 - Resumed

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleague, Senator Murray, in expressing my sorrow over the tragedy that struck Washington State and the law enforcement community. I extend the prayers and condolences of the Senate and the entire Nation to the families, loved ones, and colleagues of the four police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty Sunday in Lakewood, WA.

Those four officers, part of Washington's best, are SGT Mark Renninger, Officer Ronald Owens, Officer Tina Griswold, and Officer Greg Richards.

Collectively, they served for 47 years in the line of duty. As Lakewood Police Chief Bret Farrar describes them, they were ``outstanding individuals'' who brought a range of talents to a 5-year-old department.

These heroes, who put their lives at risk for our safety every day, will be deeply missed and never forgotten. The men and women in blue who keep our communities safe make tremendous sacrifices daily, and so do their families.

The senseless tragedy that claimed the lives of these four officers, as my colleague said, the deadliest attack in Washington State history, reminds us of the risk that police officers take every day when they put on their badges.

The risks that police take every day was driven home again today when a Seattle police officer on routine patrol confronted, shot, and killed the person believed responsible for this crime. And at a time when we are all in shock over the loss of these officers, the police remain vigilant. They did not stop doing their job, even when tragedy struck close to home.

I thank all those who participated in the law enforcement's response since this tragedy happened. I thank the Pierce County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Paul Pastor for the investigation they have led. My heart goes out to the Lakewood Police Department and Chief Bret Farrar.

I also thank the efforts of the Seattle Police Department and the interim Chief John Diaz for his efforts and his agency's work.

In a matter of days, police and public safety officers from all around the country will converge on Puget Sound. They will form a long blue line in a show of respect for those who have fallen--Mark Renninger, Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, and Greg Richards.

This moving ritual, which happens all too often in our country, speaks eloquently of the solidarity all of us feel with those who risk their lives to keep us safe. This tragedy also struck our State earlier in October when Officer Timothy Brenton was struck down randomly while sitting in his police car.

I hope everyone in this country will take time today and tomorrow and next week, if they see a police officer, to thank them. Thank them for their service. Express your appreciation for the job they do putting themselves at risk for all of us. We did not have enough time to thank Mark, Ronald, Tina, and Greg, but we are thanking them in our thoughts and prayers, and we are sending strength to their families with much love and appreciation for what those officers and their families have done to serve us and their communities.

I yield the floor.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source