Political Quotes

“I thank Representative Johnson for holding this incredibly important Special Order this evening. For 23 years, I had the privilege of serving my hometown of Duluth, Minnesota, as a police officer. I know firsthand the sacrifices law enforcement officers make for the safety and security of their communities. Policing is a noble profession and often a dangerous one. Ninety-one officers have been shot so far in 2021. Despite this danger, countless men and women still put on the uniform, leave their loved ones behind, and put their own lives on the line every day. During National Police Week, we celebrate and honor these heroes, but they deserve our respect for more than just 1 week. They deserve it year-round and so do their families. This past year has been especially challenging for our law enforcement officers. There are some in the media and some in this very Chamber who choose to vilify our police officers for the actions of a few bad apples. Some have even called to defund the police. This reckless and dangerous message has had a chilling effect on our society. Low morale is causing some officers to retire early. New officer recruitment is strained, and crime is on the rise in many cities. This irresponsible rhetoric must change, and I call on all of my colleagues to help. We must all honor the noble profession of policing, which has provided every one of us here in this Chamber with safety and security.…”