Date: 2015-12-18
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Let me also rise today. Mr. Speaker. to thank the United States Capitol Police. founded in 1828. We know how vital they were during the tragedy. horrific incident of 9111. and. certainly. in 1998. I come in contact with them every day. but I rise today to particularly thank an officer and a gentleman. Over the years. after initially greeting each other every day. the greeting became a genuine friendship of respect and kindness. and even a joke or two. I am honored today to recognize one of our first responders. Capitol Police Private First Class Tommy Wisseman. Officer Wisseman exemplifies a model officer who takes his job very seriously. but finds the time to get to know Members of Congress on a more personal level. Officer Wisseman has given the Capitol Police 29 years of service. all 29 at the Capitol building. He has worked every Presidential inauguration since 1989. was the lead officer for the construction of the Capitol Visitor Center. one of the head trainers for the Capitol Visitor Center officers. received multiple awards and citations. He is the father of four daughters. and married to a lovely wife. who is with the Capitol Police. Let me thank him and salute him as I salute all of the police. Mr. Speaker. since 1828. the United States Capitol Police have provided protection for our Congress. ensuring a safe and open environment to facilitate the legislative process and the security of Congressional Members. staff and employees. and visitors and members of the public. This protection was magnified in 1998 when a shooter entered the Capitol killing Officer Gibson and Officer Chestnut who was protecting Majority Whip Tom DeLay and also in 2001 during the 911 attacks when our men and women in uniform literally moved our leadership and Members of Congress to safe havens away from the Capitol. We are grateful to all of them and the more than 2000 sworn and civilian employees who serve and protect the Congress. As Members of Congress. we come in contact with Capitol Police every day and in the course of our days on this campus and years in Congress we get to know many of them on a first name basis. That is the case with an officer and a gentleman I have gotten to know and which started initially from just a simple greeting to each other. Over the years that initial greeting has evolved into a genuine friendship of respect and kindness and even a joke or two. I am honored today to recognize one of our first responders. Capitol Police. Private First Class Thomas Wisseman. Officer Wisseman exemplifies a model officer who takes his job very seriously. but finds the time to get to know Members of Congress on a more personal level. Officer Wisseman has given the Capitol Police 29 years of serviceall 29 at the Capitol Building. He has worked every Presidential Inaugural since 1989. was the lead officer for the construction of the Capitol Visitors Center. one of the head trainers for Capitol Visitor Center officers. and has received multiple awards and citations for his leadership and tenure of service. He is the proud father of four daughters and is married to his lovely wife Amber who is also a Capitol Police officer here at the Capitol. Mr. Speaker. I ask the House to recognize our first responders and men and women in uniform today. Officer Wissemann is an example of the dedicated men and women in uniform.