Drew Ferguson: “I stand in support of H. Con. Res. 243. Earlier this year we had the opportunity to create the Public Safety Officer…”

“I stand in support of H. Con. Res. 243. Earlier this year we had the opportunity to create the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor. Today we have the obligation to use this medal to honor those who have served the public safety of our Nation. This bill does more than urge the president to award the Medal of Valor--the highest honor for public safety officers--to those who were killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11. It also honors those who displayed valor above and beyond the call of duty through their heroic actions on that fateful day, and during the rescue and recovery missions that followed. These brave souls, although not public safety officers, still acted in line with and gave their lives for the highest ideals of that fine profession. I think of the courageous men and women of the Port Authority who, because of where they worked, felt empowered and compelled to risk and, in some cases, sacrifice their lives to help their fellow workers in the World Trade Center. By going above and far beyond the call of duty, these real heroes gave us something to be proud of and someone to look up to. These valiant individuals are also public safety officers, employed by a situation out of their control and paid by an opportunity to serve their fellow man.”