[Image] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 8, 2023 MEDIA CONTACTS Kennedy Stowater, 202-870-0688 Video Release: Congressman Flood Delivers Floor Speech for National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day [Image]<https://youtu.be/z7LIK2ZVtq0> WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Mike Flood recently delivered a speech on the House Floor honoring law enforcement officers ahead of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which is observed January 9th. Video of the remarks can be found by clicking here<https://youtu.be/z7LIK2ZVtq0>. News outlets are welcome to use the footage for their reporting purposes. The full text of the speech is below. Mister Speaker, As National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day approaches, I rise to salute our men and women who keep our communities safe each and every day. It wasn’t long ago that law enforcement were almost universally respected in America. The blue uniform was a symbol not just of law and order, but also of community peace and harmony. Police men and policewomen belonged among the most trusted community members alongside nurses, teachers, firefighters, and postal workers. But something happened in 2020. Anti-police riots erupted in communities across the country. Places like Seattle, Minneapolis, and Chicago were besieged by violence. Violent protestors set up a law enforcement-free zone in Seattle known as “Chaz.” Civil unrest in Minneapolis led to half a billion dollars worth of damage while city leadership failed to keep order after George Floyd’s death. Folks looted the magnificent mile in Chicago while the world watched America burn. But this destruction wasn’t tolerated in Nebraska. When disorder erupted in two of our major cities, then-Governor Pete Ricketts cracked down. He deployed the State Patrol and the National Guard to assist communities and protected businesses and homeowners. Since the national unrest in 2020, Nebraska has doubled down on our commitment to supporting our men and women in blue. While some states have repealed traditional protections for law enforcement, Nebraska has maintained qualified immunity. This is critical to ensuring law enforcement officers can do their jobs without the threat of frivolous lawsuits or complaints. Last year, before I came to Congress, I was the proud cosponsor of the Law Enforcement Attraction and Retention Act in our legislature. This bill provides a variety of cash incentives for individual officers to help law enforcement agencies retain their workforce. It received almost unanimous approval from the body. This year, the legislature in Nebraska passed the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act. It covers 100 percent of tuition for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and their children who want to get a college degree from a community college, a state college, or a university. We are the first state in the nation to give police officers, their families, and their children free college – recognizing that what they do is important and it is needed. If you’re living in one of those places where law enforcement are under attack, I want you to look at Nebraska – look at what we can do for you and your family. We have a wide variety of opportunities available in law enforcement. The Nebraska State Patrol is the finest statewide agency in the nation led by the outstanding Colonel John Bolduc. Our two biggest cities have fantastic large agencies that provide lots of opportunities to advance. And if you like to hunt, we can help you there too. We have lots of opportunities in smaller agencies, mid-sized communities, and a plethora of options. There truly is an opportunity for every law enforcement officer — and it comes with a low cost of living and competitive salaries. Our communities need police officers. Rural communities need police officers. We are doing what we can in Nebraska to make it as attractive to people across the country as humanly possible. As we honor our peace officers on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, I invite anyone working in the profession to consider my great state as you think about your career and what’s best for your family. And know that Nebraskans support you, we salute your work, and wish you all the best as you continue to protect communities in the Good Life and across our country. May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America. Thank you and I yield back. ### KENNEDY STOWATER | Press Secretary Office of Congressman Mike Flood (NE-01) O: (202)225-4806 | C: (202)870-0688 343 Cannon House Office Building [A picture containing text, sign Description automatically generated]<https://twitter.com/USRepMikeFlood>
