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[Page H769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF OFFICER ALAN McCOLLUM
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Cloud) for 5 minutes.
Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor and
to mourn the loss of one of Corpus Christi Police Department's finest,
Officer Alan McCollum, who was tragically killed in the line of duty.
President Ronald Reagan once said: ``There can be no more noble
vocation than the protection of one's fellow citizens.''
Officer McCollum was a compassionate, devoted, and admired public
servant who dutifully worked to keep south Texas safe.
Before serving as a police officer, Officer McCollum served 21 years
in the U.S. Army, earning the Bronze Star and numerous other accolades.
Following the Army, his service to others continued by joining the
Corpus Christi Police Department in 2013, where he was a valued member
of the Honor Guard and SWAT team.
Last year, he once again demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice
his own safety for others by helping push an overturned car back on its
wheels after it had caught fire, saving the life of the driver.
On Saturday, Officer McCollum paid the ultimate price, sacrificing
himself, while upholding the rule of law.
Scripture tells us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and
those who are crushed in spirit. Right now, so many of us, in Texas,
the Corpus Christi Police Department, and the family of Officer
McCollum, are brokenhearted.
Our prayers are that his family and friends touched by this tragedy,
and especially his wife of 12 years, Michelle, and his three daughters,
Hannah, Carissa, and Liliana, would feel the Lord near them during this
difficult time. I extend my deepest condolences to them during this
extremely difficult time.
Honoring the Service of Officer Michael Love
Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, this week, I had the opportunity to visit
Corpus Christi Police Officer Michael Love in the hospital as he
recovers from injuries he sustained in the line of duty.
Over the weekend, he was conducting a routine traffic stop when his
patrol vehicle was struck, pinning him down.
I had heard from many of his fellow officers of his optimistic and
indomitable spirit, which I had the opportunity to witness firsthand
when I visited him and his wife, Lauren, in the hospital. He told me
that, despite everything he is going through, even knowing the months
of recovery that lie ahead, he would still sign up to serve our
community as a Corpus Christi police officer.
We cannot express our gratitude enough for his sacrifice and his
bravery.
We must continue to pray for the safety of all our first responders,
and support them as they protect us, as well as their families, who
they hug a little bit tighter every day as they face the dangers that
lie ahead.
We are thankful for the loving, brave, and patriotic man that is
Officer Michael Love, and for those who serve with him.
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