Floor SpeechUrgent2024-12-20

HONORING DEPUTY JIM LAU

Crime & Justice

Context

On 2024-12-20, Representative Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING DEPUTY JIM LAU" in the House. The speech addressed crime and justice.

Full Text

HONORING DEPUTY JIM LAU

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 190 (Friday, December 20, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 190 (Friday, December 20, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1320] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING DEPUTY JIM LAU ______ HON. CHUCK EDWARDS of north carolina in the house of representatives Friday, December 20, 2024 Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, it is with sorrow and gratitude that I rise today to honor the life of Deputy Charles James ``Jim'' Lau for his service to our country and community as a security officer at the Macon County Courthouse in Western North Carolina. Jim drowned in the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene and was found dead on September 28. Jim lived a life dedicated to public service in every role he undertook. Jim served in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant and fighting in the Vietnam War, before beginning his successful career in law enforcement. As a member of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office in Florida, Jim spent over 20 years working as a deputy, working primarily in the Major Case and Crime Scene units and pioneered a crime scene program which trained hundreds of deputies. Jim was described by the Sheriff's Office as a hard worker, dependable and was well-liked. After full retirement from the police force in 2005, Jim moved with his then wife Millie to Franklin, North Carolina to be closer to family; Millie died in 2007 after a battle with breast cancer. Even in his retirement, Jim felt called to serve others and chose to serve his community as a volunteer with REACH of Macon County, a domestic violence, rape crisis, and human trafficking center, and as a security officer at the Macon County Courthouse. On Friday, September 27, Jim showed up to work to serve the people of Macon County amidst the devastation of Hurricane Helene, with the worst storm conditions Western North Carolina has seen in recorded history. Jim was reported missing after he failed to return from lunch and his body was found in his truck, still trapped in the floodwater, the following day. Jim was known as a family man and loved nothing more than being a grandfather. Jim leaves behind his wife, Judie; children, Kimberly, Destiny, Cameron, Brittany and Tyler; and many grandchildren and extended relatives. After decades of working to protect others, Jim made the world a better and safer place, and I thank him for his lifetime of public service. I offer my deepest condolences to the Lau family and will continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers. ____________________

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HONORING DEPUTY JIM LAU Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 190 (Friday, December 20, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 190 (Friday, December 20, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1320] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING DEPUTY JIM LAU ______ HON. CHUCK EDWARDS of north carolina in the house of representatives Friday, December 20, 2024 Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, it is with sorrow and gratitude that I rise today to honor the life of Deputy Charles James ``Jim'' Lau for his service to our country and community as a security officer at the Macon County Courthouse in Western North Carolina. Jim drowned in the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene and was found dead on September 28. Jim lived a life dedicated to public service in every role he undertook. Jim served in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant and fighting in the Vietnam War, before beginning his successful career in law enforcement. As a member of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office in Florida, Jim spent over 20 years working as a deputy, working primarily in the Major Case and Crime Scene units and pioneered a crime scene program which trained hundreds of deputies. Jim was described by the Sheriff's Office as a hard worker, dependable and was well-liked. After full retirement from the police force in 2005, Jim moved with his then wife Millie to Franklin, North Carolina to be closer to family; Millie died in 2007 after a battle with breast cancer. Even in his retirement, Jim felt called to serve others and chose to serve his community as a volunteer with REACH of Macon County, a domestic violence, rape crisis, and human trafficking center, and as a security officer at the Macon County Courthouse. On Friday, September 27, Jim showed up to work to serve the people of Macon County amidst the devastation of Hurricane Helene, with the worst storm conditions Western North Carolina has seen in recorded history. Jim was reported missing after he failed to return from lunch and his body was found in his truck, still trapped in the floodwater, the following day. Jim was known as a family man and loved nothing more than being a grandfather. Jim leaves behind his wife, Judie; children, Kimberly, Destiny, Cameron, Brittany and Tyler; and many grandchildren and extended relatives. After decades of working to protect others, Jim made the world a better and safer place, and I thank him for his lifetime of public service. I offer my deepest condolences to the Lau family and will continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers. ____________________