Political Quotes

“Today I rise in honor of the brave men and women in blue who serve and protect us each and every day. I am proud to be able to be part of this Special Order remembering Washington State law enforcement, and I am proud to share this Special Order with most all of the delegation of the great State of Washington. According to statistics released by the FBI, intentional killings of law enforcement in the year 2021 were the highest in 20 years. Already this year--and we are only in April--there have been more officers shot and killed than all of last year. Every day, police officers across central Washington, across my State, and across the United States put on a badge and go to work knowing they face extremely dangerous situations exacerbated by significant economic uncertainties, open border policies, and the raging opioid crisis. Let me be clear: Nothing justifies the targeting and the murdering of law enforcement. Whether on regularly scheduled patrol duty or answering an urgent call for help, law enforcement officers put on their uniforms every day with no guarantee they will return home safely. Just 3 weeks ago, Madam Speaker, Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Dominique ``Dom'' Calata, a 35-year-old Army veteran, who had been with the force for the past 6\1/2\ years, made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting his community. While assisting the South Sound Gang Task Force and serving a warrant for second degree assault, Deputy Calata was shot and killed.…”