On the recordMarch 25, 2015
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me first thank Chairman Ryan for his leadership and his support in bringing this important legislation, the Slain Officer Family Support Act of 2015, to the floor of the House of Representatives. Let me also thank my good friend, the lead Republican cosponsor, Representative Peter King, for his partnership on this bill, which is of great importance to the people of New York, as well as law enforcement throughout the entire Nation. It is an honor and a privilege for me to represent the Eighth Congressional District in New York City, proud home of the New York Police Department, one of the finest in the world. On December 20, 2014, unspeakable tragedy struck the Bedford Stuyvesant community that I represent. While sitting in their marked patrol car, Detectives Wen Jian Liu and Rafael Ramos were approached from behind and, without warning, assassinated at pointblank range through the passenger side window. Liu and Ramos, both Brooklyn residents, had been assigned to patrol the Tompkins public housing development in Bedford Stuyvesant as part of a ``critical-response detail'' responding to an increase in violence over the previous year. They volunteered to be there as part of their willingness to protect and serve the people of New York City. They were killed simply for wearing that blue uniform.…





