David Reichert

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and for his hard work on this bill. We are here in Washington, D.C., talking about tax reform, and we are throwing around tax terms like built-in gains, bonus depreciation, research and development, R&D, and on and on and on. People back home I think really, for the most part, don't get all of that talk, but they do understand when we are talking about reducing their taxes, when we are creating an environment where businesses can thrive, where businesses can reinvest their capital back into their hard work, their small businesses, create jobs, sell their products, and hire more people. That is what this bill is about. Just three quick examples of constituencies that I am hearing from in my district: One, the teachers in Washington State. They really appreciate the fact that there is certainty now that they can deduct the amount of money they spend up to $500 on school equipment to help our children learn. Every year or 2 years we go through this exercise of deciding whether or not we are going to support our teachers. They have certainty. This is not about big businesses. These are teachers. Two, small businesses, S Corporations, can now with certainty have access to revenue. Rather than waiting 10 years, they can have it in 5. They can sell equipment that they had to sit on for 5 years or 7 years. Now they can sell that equipment and buy new equipment, creating more jobs and selling more products. Three, for Washington State especially, the permanency in sales tax is a big deal. The permanency in our ability in Washington State--I think one of seven States in this country--to deduct our sales tax from our Federal income tax creates certainty for every taxpaying citizen in Washington State. This is a big deal. These three small, little provisions are big deals for the average American across this country in Washington State and in the Eighth District of Washington State that I serve.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. I thank him for his hard work, and Mr. Boustany, Mr. Tiberi, and other members of the committee, who have worked hard on this legislation, and, also, Members across the aisle who have come together to build this piece of legislation presented here today. I rise in strong support, Mr. Speaker, of this important legislation. In my home State of Washington, 40 percent of jobs are tied directly to trade. We are the most trade-dependent State in the country. This bill supports that trade and those jobs through the elimination of unnecessary roadblocks U.S. companies face when exporting and importing goods and the enhanced enforcement of our laws. And it lays the groundwork for the miscellaneous tariff bill, often called the MTB, which reduces costs on American manufacturers and supports jobs across this country. I am proud that this bill includes several provisions that I have championed with colleagues across the aisle from the Pacific Northwest, including outdoor recreation apparel provisions with my colleague from the State of Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), and the renewal of the State trade expansion program with my colleague from the State of Washington (Mr. Larsen). We have fought hard for those two provisions, and they are included in this legislation. That program helps small businesses grow by making it easier for them to sell their products across this world, which, of course, helps create jobs here in the United States. The more products we sell, the more jobs we create here at home. It has supported over 430 small businesses in Washington and 2,200 jobs. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join with me today in supporting American farmers, American workers, and businesses through stronger enforcement of our laws and streamlined trade.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, you may know, and others may know, and may have heard about the wildfires that swept through central Washington this past summer, destroying many homes, lives, wildstock, and livestock across Washington State. Tragically, they also took the lives of three brave firefighters. On August 19, 25-year-old Daniel Lyons, who is also a firefighter, was with his friends and partners, Richard Wheeler, Andrew Zajac, and Tom Zbyszewski, when their vehicle was overcome by flames. Daniel made it out of the fire truck alive but suffered burns over 60 percent of his body. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet with Daniel. After he had spent 3 months undergoing treatment at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, he has a positive attitude about life, and is excited about his opportunity to continue to serve. This young man still wants to be a police officer. He lost his fingertips in this fire. He still believes that he--and I know he can do this, and I want to be there for him--can accomplish his goal of continuing to serve as a police officer in the State of Washington. As a former cop of 33 years, I could not be more proud of Daniel. He is a real-life hero. I will always remember his friends and partners.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Chairman, today I rise to offer an amendment that will allow us to collect the facts and evaluate the impact of the 2014- 2015 West Coast ports slowdown and dispute. The efficient movement of goods is critical to the economic success of this country. Our farmers and manufacturers must be able to export their high-quality products to the customers around the world that they rely upon. Beginning in the summer of 2014, these customer relationships and our economy were threatened. This was the result of a prolonged contract negotiation between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union that ended February 2015. Just how serious was the impact of these prolonged negotiations? One example from my home State provides a clear illustration. Our apple growers in Washington State were faced with an estimated $100 million worth of apples that they could not sell. Other stories can be told about multiple types of produce and products, including the hay and the potato industry, in Washington State. In fact, Mr. Chairman, I was in Malaysia and Singapore during part of the slowdown, and the complaint in those two countries was they couldn't get their potatoes. And especially they were upset they weren't getting their Washington State french fries. So this did have an impact across the globe. This wasn't just a United States economy impact. This was a global impact. In fact, the ships coming from those countries to the West Coast were slowed down to 8 knots, hoping that this would be resolved by the time the ships reached the West Coast. This amendment simply requires the Government Accountability Office to study the economic impact of this dispute, review the steps taken to reach an agreement, and suggest what other tools might be used to prevent future slowdowns. Like many of you, I have committed to my constituents that I will work to ensure that this is not repeated for the sake of our workers, farmers, and manufacturers. This amendment moves us in that direction. I thank my colleagues, Representatives Schrader, Newhouse, Radewagen, and Coffman for working with me on this important issue. I urge support of this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Chairman, just as a matter of clarification, this legislation addresses both the Pacific Maritime Association and union issues. How can you be against something that would be an investigation that would clearly reveal what the problems are on both sides? So this legislation is not designed to point the finger at any one entity. Two entities are involved in this issue. We need to find out what we can do to prevent this from happening in the future because it costs the United States economy money, it costs jobs, and it affects the entire global economy. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from American Samoa (Mrs. Radewagen).

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, one of America's greatest promises is the promise that, if you work hard and play fair, your opportunities are endless. Thousands of business owners throughout this country have lived by this mantra and sought new opportunities abroad. When Congress allowed the charter of the Export-Import Bank to expire over the summer, we took away an important tool for American business owners and their employees. They depend upon it. This is about jobs. Many small companies throughout my region and in my district have relied on Ex-Im Bank. I will name one: Number 9 Hay in a small town called Ellensburg in eastern Washington. A hay company in Ellensburg, Washington, with the support of Ex-Im Bank, was able to expand its business, hire employees, and sell in foreign markets. Otherwise not. This story is a story of success, of jobs for the small hardworking businesses of America that create 85 percent of our jobs. If we don't act, businesses of all sizes and the people they employ will be threatened. I support this measure.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, on roll call #533, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted yes.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark legislation was critical to ensuring all Americans living with disabilities were guaranteed equal access to opportunities to live a full and meaningful life without being discriminated against. With over 55 million people living in our nation with disabilities, it is sometimes hard to realize that before 1990, so many barriers stood in their way to leading happy, successful lives. My own godson lives with significant disabilities and if this law had not been enacted before he was born, his life would have turned out very differently--it would have been difficult to access transportation, public and private spaces, and receive an education. It is so important that we continue building upon the successes of the ADA and that we do everything within our power for those who need us to fight just a little bit extra for them, and that is why we must remember this anniversary.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of today's legislation that will ensure that our country's infrastructure needs are met. The bottom line is we are all here. We have agreement on a lot of the discussion we are having today. We all want a multiyear highway bill. We all recognize that that is what our communities need. That is exactly why we need to pass this bill today, so that we can have that opportunity to discuss these issues over the next few months to come up with a multiyear bill. It continues funding for construction projects through the end of the year, while giving us the time to come together on a solution that funds a multiyear transportation bill. This is not just about the economy--it is about the economy, but not just about the economy. It is about jobs and jobs connected with construction and jobs connected with moving our goods across the country and in our communities. It is also about the quality of life that our constituents are having to deal with back home, stuck in traffic for an hour or 2 hours, trying to get home and not having time with their families. There is a lot involved here with our discussion today and the benefits of a multiyear plan. Of course, when I go back home--just like any other Member--we drive on the highways. We see the need. We experience the congestion. I want to go back and tell my constituents that we have listened to them, that we realize and recognize that there is a problem; but most of all, I want to go back and say: We have a plan. As Democrats and Republicans, we are going to work together on a multiyear plan that we can agree on to move this country forward, a plan that includes a multiyear highway bill that offers communities greater certainty to plan for the future, improves our roads and bridges, reduces congestion, and eases the movement of goods. To get there, we must find a way--of course, this is where the rub comes in--to pay for it. By the end of the year, I want to be able to say to my constituents that we have met this challenge and that we have found a solution. We can start by evaluating whether we can accomplish our goals through a solution that modernizes our international tax system, supports the competitiveness of our American companies, and secures funding for a multiyear transportation bill--and finally defining a permanent funding solution for our infrastructure needs. Mr. Speaker, I want to ask pardon for a pun I am about to use in my next sentence. The bill today can help drive us there and give us time to have these discussions. Today, let's pass this bill; send it to the Senate, and let's get to work together, Mr. Speaker. People want us to work together on a multiyear solution to our transportation and infrastructure needs.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman again for yielding to me today. I rise today to support the Steve Gleason Act of 2015. I have never had the honor of meeting Steve; however, he is a native Washingtonian. I have had the honor of knowing a good friend and partner who passed away from ALS while I was with the sheriff's office back in Washington State in King County in the city of Seattle. His name was Jim. And I have heard people talk about Steve, his inspiration, and the fight and fire in his eyes this afternoon, and Jim had that same inspiration to those around him and had that same fire in his eyes. He came to work every day. And people noticed there was something a little bit different, not quite right about Jim, but Jim just said, you know: I had an operation on my knee. He limped into work and he committed himself to doing the job and getting it done. He was working on one of the biggest serial murder cases this country has ever known, the Green River case. He lived long enough to interview the person that we finally arrested, which took us 19 years. He stayed alive long enough to interview--I am not even going to mention that person's name on the floor of the House. Jim was a good friend. For CMS to make a ruling like this, to withhold commonsense medical devices for people who need it, to help Americans across this country, is almost unbelievable and illogical. CMS has made other rules, too, denying medical devices for people with lymphedema, for example, commonsense medical devices, like garments to help them live a normal life. I am so pleased to hear today that we are able to change this rule to help people with ALS communicate, to be able to say, ``I love you.''

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, today we remember the life of Washington State University President Elson Floyd. Dr. Floyd was one of the leading lights of education in our state. He not only ensured that he personally engaged with the lives of the students on his own campus, but he advocated for higher education across the state to any who would listen. He made educating his top priority and took extra measures to help his school succeed--such as cutting his own salary when he saw the effects of the economic downturn on WSU. I have had the pleasure of personally meeting Dr. Floyd and was moved by his passion and sincerity. We need more men and women like him throughout this country, helping our young people realize the advantages of pursuing a good education and pursue their dreams. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children as well as with his WSU family. As we say in the law enforcement world, he is gone but never forgotten.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and thank him for his leadership on this series of trade bills that we have been considering for the last few weeks. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the preferences bill before us. This bipartisan legislation renews both the Generalized System of Preferences and the African Growth and Opportunity Act. GSP is an important program, both to Washington State businesses and promoting economic development across the globe. Similarly, the renewal of AGOA is critical to further strengthening our ties with Africa. The strong bipartisan vote this legislation received weeks ago made clear there is strong support for these programs in Congress and among the American people. Also included in this legislation is a renewal of Trade Adjustment Assistance, and I am proud, as Mr. Ryan said, to sponsor the House legislation to renew TAA because there is a need for this program. I believe increased trade is good for all Americans. It creates jobs and it makes America stronger. But I also understand that as we create jobs and trade, and our jobs change over the next few years, along the way some workers may need extra assistance and additional training. That is why TAA is so important. Now, we have made great strides this past week by sending TPA to the President's desk; and I am also proud that TPA was attached to another bill, which happened to be a labor bill, TSP, which created a fair application of retirement benefits for Federal public safety officers. Now, Mr. Speaker, we must move forward, pass TAA and AGOA today, General System of Preferences.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, today, Americans find themselves asking this question over and over again: Are things ever going to get better for America? The only answer has to be ``yes.'' Today, we begin that process. Today, it is time for action. Today, we vote on trade legislation that is absolutely critical for America's future. Today, we send a message to the world--across this globe--a strong message that we are America, that we are strong, that we are free, and that we are united. A ``yes'' vote today on TPA and TAA is a vote for a healthy economy. It is a vote for creating jobs. It is a vote for higher wages. It is a vote for selling America. That is the message we are going to send across this globe today. America is back, and we are going to be strong in this world economy. Hard-working taxpayers deserve a government that gives the citizens of this country freedom, choice, and control to pursue their futures. Every American deserves this--to build one's own business, to hire employees, to seek promotions, and to provide for one's family. Mr. Speaker, it is what real leaders will deliver today.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I am rising today in support of today's rule, which will allow us to proceed in consideration of trade promotion authority, trade adjustment assistance, and customs legislation. Passage of trade promotion authority is absolutely critical to our economic growth and global leadership. Without TPA, we will not be able to bring home the benefits of a high-standard trade agreement. Now, what are the benefits of high-standard trade agreements? Job creation, selling American products across this globe to 96 percent of the market, which exists outside of this country. Selling American, that is what we want to do. And, by the way, we not only create jobs, but we create jobs that are higher paid wages, which we are all trying to struggle with across this country in raising the minimum wage. We can do that in this trade adjustment and trade promotion authority. This is counter to exactly what communities across the Nation need right now: more opportunities, more good paying jobs; and that leads to a promising future for our families, for our children, to better- paying, high-tech jobs and manufacturing jobs across this country. I am proud to be the House sponsor of legislation to renew trade adjustment assistance because I understand the necessity of TAA. Now, not only is this a great trade initiative here, but we are also taking into consideration, as we move ahead in this global economy, that there may be people who do have opportunities to look at other jobs; and this TAA bill provides training and education for people to have and gain better jobs, higher paying jobs. So I would encourage my colleagues to vote for this rule in support of TPA, TAA, and the customs legislation.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of an amazing Washingtonian--Bob Dickerson. Bob died of cancer last week, something he had been dealing with for years, but, during all the ups and downs, that was never what defined him. Instead, he was a champion for those in need. Bob volunteered with the RESULTS organization, which works to reduce poverty and child mortality. Bob's advocacy was unparalleled; I met with him many times, both in my district office and in DC. Each time, I was impressed and humbled by his passion for helping others, by his commitment to service. He had a heart for the world, doing everything within his power to improve the lives of each and every person in this world. My prayers are with Bob's family and the RESULTS team as they learn to live with Bob's memory rather than his person, and I suggest to all of us, that we take Bob's passion and service to heart, and put it before us as an example.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Kent, Washington as it celebrates its 125th year anniversary. Kent has special significance for me, being the place where I grew up fishing in Mill Creek and playing at Kent Memorial Park. It was there I held my first job at 11 years old, working in the valley farms picking strawberries, raspberries, and beans. I attended Kent-Meridian High School and have fond memories of playing football at French Field, and I even bought my first car in Kent. Starting out with only 793 people in May of 1890, it has grown into a city of 124,000 and is home to an extremely diverse population. Kent is the fourth largest manufacturing and distribution center in the country, making it a hub with connections across the entire nation. Kent has also won national awards for its Airways Brewery, and word of this local treasure has spread far and wide. It also boasts the Seattle Thunderbirds who play at Kent's ShoWare Center and made it to the Western Hockey League playoffs last year. Not only is it a successful city, hosting over 4,500 businesses and 78,000 jobs, but with its prime location nestled in the Green River Valley, it is also a beautiful location. As you look out you can see Mt. Rainier and both the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges--some of the most stunning landscape in the entire country. Kent has truly proven that they are here to stay and I am confident its next 125 years will prove as successful as its first.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Culberson and Chairman Rogers for working together with Representatives Pascrell, Dent, and Herrera Beutler to develop this amendment. I rise today to offer this critical amendment with the colleagues that I just mentioned. This amendment increases the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program by $100 million and decreases the Census Bureau by an equal amount. Last year, the COPS Hiring Program received bipartisan support and was funded at $180 million in the omnibus. Unfortunately, the underlying legislation completely eliminates the COPS Hiring Program. While we cannot restore COPS Hiring Programs and add them back into the bill due to House rules governing consideration of appropriation measures, we can help ease the burden and mitigate the impact of the program's elimination on local law enforcement by passing this bipartisan amendment. To continue to meet the needs of police departments across the country, this additional $100 million for Byrne JAG should specifically be used for grants to police departments for hiring. Ensuring the safety of our communities and neighborhoods should be one of our first priorities, and we cannot do without a sufficient number of police officers. Mr. Chairman, the police officers and law enforcement agencies across this country are asked to do more and more with less and less, and let me just give you some examples. When I was the sheriff in Seattle, I provided deputies to Federal task force efforts, the Joint Fugitive Task Force; the Joint Terrorism Task Force; the HIDTA Task Force, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force; the fusion center; and I could go on with some others. The role that local law enforcement plays in the efforts of Federal law enforcement are integral. They are interconnected. They can't be separated. It is a team effort from the Federal law enforcement agencies to the local law enforcement agencies. And sometimes people in this Chamber get confused as to what the local law enforcement's role is when it comes to Federal responsibility. I will just give you an example of one of my own personal experiences. Early in my career as a police officer, a sheriff's deputy on the streets in the mid-seventies, I made a traffic stop. I came across a young lady who happened to be in the employment of somebody who was connected to a crime syndicate within the Washington State area who was operating human trafficking operations from Texas to Anchorage, and not only that, but they were involved in drug trafficking. So I developed this informant as a patrol officer driving around in my patrol car. You would never think that I might have the opportunity to bust a big case like this. But this is just an example of the day- to-day activity that police officers operate in, and they collect this information. I took it to the Federal agency responsible. I went to the DEA. I had a secret meeting in a hotel room in downtown Seattle. The informant wouldn't trust the Federal operatives, but she trusted me. So I had to bring her there. We came up with a plan for me to travel to Texas. It is a long story. I won't get into the rest of it. But I think that everyone in this room gets the picture of how critical it is for us to integrate Federal and local law enforcement and that we have a responsibility, as the United States Congress, on the House side and on the Senate side, to support those efforts. As matter of fact, Mr. Chairman, I was hired under a Federal grant in 1972 called the PEP program. I would not have had a 33-year career if I wasn't hired with Federal money. So this $100 million is going to be so much appreciated by our men and women. I want to mention just one other criminal aspect of this bill. It is not perfect. No bill is perfect. The law enforcement community is not perfect. We are not perfect. Congress is not perfect. The community is not perfect. We need to stop looking at the negative and the bad in all of these organizations together and start looking at the good, come together, and figure out a solution to bringing police and community together. Today there aren't enough cops on the street. The community policing program has, in some parts of this country, been eliminated or cut back. So school resource officers are gone in some communities. Storefront officers are gone. They are gone, Mr. Chairman, and we need to bring them back. We can do it together. We can solve this problem and keep our community safe. I appreciate the gentleman and the time you have allowed me.

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a champion and leader from the State of Washington, Leo Finnegan. Whether it's serving on community advisory boards, helping a parent navigate bureaucratic difficulties or organizing recreational activities for those with special needs, Leo Finnegan has been, and will continue to be, a deliberate and enthusiastic voice for the developmental disability community. Leo and his wife Rose first moved to Washington State in 1975 with their five children, one of whom has special needs, Tim. When his son was unable to participate in Soap Box Derby Races with his other children, Leo took it upon himself to construct a two passenger car so the entire family could share in the fun together. This act sparked an idea to organize races for other children with special needs. He now organizes and oversees races every summer throughout Washington State in Issaquah, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, Richland, Spokane, and Oak Harbor. My godson Kyle and I were able to participate in one race several years ago, which is one of the many times I've had the opportunity to see firsthand Leo's work in our community. Leo also coaches the Special Olympics Basketball team in Washington. Through his work, Leo has touched thousands of lives, giving individuals with special needs recreational opportunities that enrich lives and strengthen families. Mr. Speaker, Leo's actions embody the heart of a servant. I thank Leo for his passionate commitment to serving those with special needs.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to talk a little bit about foster care. As many of my colleagues are aware, today is Foster Youth Shadow Day and this morning I had the pleasure of meeting with Dawna--a foster youth who spent 7 years in the foster care system of my home state of Washington. Fortunately for Dawna, she was adopted when aged out of care. But for many foster kids this is not the case. In 2013, over 23,000 kids aged out without finding a forever family. And, even the kids that do find their forever families are often mistreated and even abused while in the system. Dawna was overprescribed psychotropic medications and forced unnecessarily into an adolescent psychiatric hospital. Her story is not the only one like it. When I was Chairman of the Human Resources Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee we held a hearing on this very issue and heard many other similar stories. This is a tragedy and it is unacceptable. We can do more to help our youth in foster care, they are our responsibility and we cannot let them down. I will continue to fight to provide youth in the foster system the best possible care, and to help them find forever families, and I urge the rest of this Congress to do the same.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, this is National Police Week, and Friday is Peace Officers Memorial Day. Today I have with me my two good friends who have served in law enforcement. There are some others, I think, in our body who have had that experience. So I brought some backup today with me. Every year we take a moment to recognize our law enforcement officers across this great Nation, the men and women who wear the uniform, who wear the badge, who protect our families and our communities. This year, 273 names will be added to the memorial wall--273 names. Already this year we have lost 44 police officers in the line of duty-- 44 already this year. That is one police officer dying in the line of duty every 3\1/2\ days--every 3\1/2\ days. Madam Speaker, these men and women deserve our praise. They deserve our thanks, and they deserve the recognition that we can give them today on the floor of the House. There are families here who have lost loved ones. At the service on Friday, the President will be there to address them. We rise today, the three of us together, to ask for a moment of silence to honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2146) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal law enforcement officers, firefighters, and air traffic controllers to make penalty-free withdrawals from governmental plans after age 50, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. REICHERT

Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding generous time for my comments. I also want to thank you for your strong support for this legislation, and I take a moment also to thank Ms. Jackson Lee for her strong words of support. Her passion was evident and felt in her words. This is a very close topic to my heart, very near and dear to me. I think, as most Members in this body know, I spent 33 years in law enforcement before I came to Congress. I have been here 10 years; I tell people I just look like I have been here 40 years, but I have had the blessing of serving in many different ways, first in the Air Force and now in Congress. Today is just an honor to stand here in support of this legislation because, this week, we have families from all across the country. When I arrived at the airport this afternoon, at 3:30, motorcades were lined up to escort the survivors of the fallen officers, honor guards standing at the gates where people are coming off the airplanes, to escort the families of the fallen officers. These men and women risk their lives every day across this great Nation to protect our communities, protect our families, protect our children, and we need to help them. This bill does just that because, when they leave home, they don't know if they are coming back. The families don't know if they are coming back home that day or that evening. My own family has had that experience watching me being wheeled into a hospital room with stab wounds in the side of my neck. They learned about it on TV. That was back in the seventies, so it was a little bit different time back then, but it is still a dangerous job. We worked hard to work with the New York Police Department, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association to rename this bill after the two New York police officers, Ramos and Liu, because this is a story where this Blue Alert could have made a difference. It could have made a difference because the suspect in this case shot his girlfriend in Maryland at 5:45 in the morning, and then at 2:45, 3 in the afternoon, showed up in New York, after posting on social media that he was going to make ``angels out of police officers that day.'' As Ms. Jackson Lee said, the information came to NYPD too late. We think Blue Alert can make a difference. We think Blue Alert can save lives. We think Blue Alert can keep our officers safer on the streets. In Seattle, Washington, there is a community called Lakewood; and it is just a half an hour, 40 minutes, south of Seattle, the city of Lakewood. In 2009, there were four police officers sitting in a coffee shop. They were having a squad meeting, a sergeant and three police officers--Sergeant Renninger, Officer Owens, Officer Griswold, and Officer Richard--just sitting there, having coffee, talking about what was going to happen that day, what they were going to focus on that day to keep that community safe. A man walked in and assassinated all four officers. A 2-day manhunt occurred looking for that suspect, for that murderer, for that monster--2 days. If we had had Blue Alert--and during those 2 days, that suspect is on the loose. He is not only a danger to other police officers, he is a danger to the entire community. We need to find these people as soon as possible. A Blue Alert--because we knew who this guy was, and in the New York case, we knew who this guy was--all we need to do is put the information out there sooner, quicker, faster, immediately so we could capture these people and put them behind bars and keep the community safe. Also, a number of years ago, in 1982, I lost a friend, my best friend and my partner, and he was shot and killed chasing a murder suspect. I was one of the cops out there for 3 days searching for this guy in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, about 45 minutes southeast of Seattle. In 1982, of course, we didn't have this technology. I know the feeling of losing a good friend, a good cop, a father of five, dedicated, would do anything for his community. We have got to do everything we can to show support across this country for our cops on the street, for their families, and this week especially, when you see a police officer walking around the Capitol Grounds, make sure you say thank you. Make sure you say thank you to the family because this is a loss they will never, ever forget; and neither will we. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill. I also want to make mention of a good friend who has worked with me on law enforcement issues here in this body, who was the mayor of Paterson, New Jersey. I always tell Bill Pascrell that he would have made a good sheriff. He is a strong supporter of law enforcement, first responders, and firefighters. He and I co-chair the Law Enforcement Caucus together. He is here in this body today, and I know he is going to be speaking on some of these issues this evening. He has been a good friend to law enforcement, and I appreciate all the hard work that he has put into this bill and others to help support our law enforcement officers across this country. I appreciate the time.