RECOGNIZING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK AND HONORING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS

On 2026-05-13, Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK AND HONORING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS" in the House.

RECOGNIZING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK AND HONORING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 81 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)] [House] [Page H3403] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK AND HONORING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS (Mr. RUIZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise during National Police Week to honor the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe. In 2016, Palm Springs Police Officers Lesley Zerebny and Gil Vega were killed in the line of duty. Because of their tragedy, I introduced the Heroes Lesley Zerebny and Gilbert Vega First Responders Survivors Support Act to strengthen the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program and make sure the families of fallen officers receive the support they deserve. With today's cost of living, they are struggling to make ends meet. This bill will increase death benefits, so surviving families can pay off most of their debt, if not all of it. It will increase education benefits to cover the rising cost of an education. It will help officers' widows and children get on a stable footing. Mr. Speaker, we can honor the sacrifice that families of fallen officers have made by passing this legislation, and we must. ____________________