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[Pages H1002-H1003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1015
HONORING SERGEANT WYTASHA CARTER
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from
Alabama (Ms. Sewell) for 5 minutes.
Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life
and service of Sergeant Wytasha Carter, a 16-year veteran of the
Birmingham Police Department, who lost his life, tragically, in the
line of duty on January 13, 2019.
Wyt, as his family and friends fondly called him, was a natural-born
leader with whom others enjoyed working. Sergeant Carter was a
Birmingham native who graduated from Phillips High School before
attending Liberty University.
Sergeant Carter was drawn to service from a young age. After
graduating from college, he served in the United
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States Armed Forces, as a U.S. Air Force sergeant, before beginning his
law enforcement career in 2002 as a correctional officer with the
Shelby County Sheriff's Department. Sergeant Carter served with the
Birmingham Police Department for nearly 8 years and was recently
promoted to sergeant last year.
But above all, Sergeant Carter was a husband, he was a father, and he
was a beloved member of his community. He was so beloved that more than
2,000 people gathered to celebrate his life and his service at his
funeral last Saturday.
Sergeant Carter was a passionate guardian of his Birmingham
community: He was a fierce protector of his coworkers; he mentored
children about the dangers of drugs and gangs; and he was someone who
consistently worked above and beyond the call of duty, devoting his
life to improving his community.
Sergeant Carter died from a gunshot wound while doing the job he
loved so passionately. He and other police officers were working to
make our community safer.
Sergeant Carter led by an example of excellence and of giving back to
his community. The city of Birmingham is better because of his
contributions.
His death is a stark reminder of the dangers that our brave policemen
and -women face while working to secure our safety. They courageously
put their lives on the line day after day to protect and to serve our
neighborhoods while we sleep. Every time they put on their uniform--and
even when their uniform comes off--they bravely put duty before self.
I ask my colleagues to join me in praying that God provides comfort
to Sergeant Carter's family and friends, especially his wife of 21
years, Tiphanie, his daughter, and his young son. We pray for all of
those who were affected by this senseless tragedy, as well as his
fellow officer, who was critically injured in the shooting and who
continues to rehab toward full recovery.
We must use this tragedy as a reminder that Congress must act to
prevent this sort of senseless gun violence, gun violence that Sergeant
Carter spoke out against. We honor the legacy of service of Sergeant
Carter by making sure we in this body act. As President Obama said:
``Our tears are not enough. Our words and prayers are not enough.'' We
must act.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District
and a grateful nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating
the life of Sergeant Carter's contribution to making the community of
Birmingham better and this Nation. May we live out Sergeant Carter's
legacy by working for a safer and more secure nation today and every
day.
____________________