Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. McKinley), who is the chief sponsor of the House version of this bill. Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 238, the Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act, and urge its immediate adoption. Two years ago, our office met with the family of Eric Williams. We heard the tragic story of how he was brutally murdered in the line of duty at the penitentiary at Canaan. In coordination with Senator Toomey's office, we then introduced the bill, in concert with Congressmen Barletta and Marino, the companion bill in the House. We reintroduced it again this past year and are thrilled that the Toomey bill has passed the Senate and has come before the House today. This bill will permanently authorize Federal correction officers to routinely carry pepper spray in medium-, high-, and maximum-security prisons. Think about what we heard a minute ago. At the time of his death, Officer Williams was only equipped with a radio, a set of keys, and some handcuffs. Any worker should feel safe and secure when they go to work, but that is not the case in our Federal correctional institutions. These men and women have no line of defense against conflicts within the prison walls. This bill will go far in providing Federal correctional workers a much-needed tool so that they may defend themselves and others if attacked by violent prison inmates.…”