Bill Pascrell: “It is not unusual for Congresswoman Demings to lead and bring us together. I want to congratulate and thank her for her…”

“It is not unusual for Congresswoman Demings to lead and bring us together. I want to congratulate and thank her for her service in the past and now. Mr. Speaker, during this devastating pandemic, our Nation's law enforcement officers have stood heroically on the front lines, keeping communities across America safe. Our police have risked their lives and the lives of their families every day they go to work. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice. Since the start of the pandemic, we have lost over 464 officers, including 298 to COVID-19. In New Jersey, 15 officers have perished, including 13 to the virus. In my own district, we lost Paterson police officer, Frank Scorpo, who was only 34 years old and left behind a wife and two young sons. We lost Detective Anthony Lucanto, a 24-year veteran of the Paterson Police Department, who died of cancer tied to his heroic efforts at Ground Zero. Anthony leaves behind his wife and three children. Our hearts bleed for all of our fallen officers and their families. As the co-chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, I was proud to champion legislation signed into law to ensure those families of officers fallen to COVID-19 are guaranteed public safety officer benefits. But more must be done to support families of officers who make the ultimate sacrifice. Earlier this month, we introduced the bipartisan Protecting America's First Responders Act.…”