Mike Collins: “I appreciate the opportunity to rise today in support of H.R. 2137, the Federal Law Enforcement Self- Defense and…”

“I appreciate the opportunity to rise today in support of H.R. 2137, the Federal Law Enforcement Self- Defense and Protection Act. I thank Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers for their support of this legislation and for their commitment to getting it to the floor today. With their support, H.R. 2137 passed the Judiciary Committee on a voice vote. I also thank my friends, Congresswoman Gabbard from Hawaii, Congressman Reichert from Washington, and Congressman Pascrell from New Jersey, for joining me in introducing H.R. 2137 and for their strong support of this bill. Finally, I thank Senator Toomey for introducing the companion legislation in the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I introduced this legislation to provide better protections for law enforcement officers, and I am glad to see that it is moving forward. It is particularly fitting that we consider this bill this week during National Police Week. Thousands of law enforcement officers are here from all over the country to commemorate their partners who have fallen in the line of duty and to recognize their sacrifices and contributions. I thank them for their service. This is also a special week for this Congressman from the Ninth Congressional District of Georgia because I am a proud son of a Georgia State trooper. I know firsthand how hard they work and of the sacrifices they make in their time away from their families. He made sure that my brother and I had all of the chances at life that he had.…”