There was a moment of silence for donald payne, jr. Who died recently and who served on the committee. The committee on Homeland Security will come to order, without objection the chair may declare the committee in recess at any point. Before we have the hearing, id like to take a moment to recognize the loss of our dear friend on this committee, Congress Donald payne, jr. And his legacy, along with his fathers legacy will serve as a reminder to us all what it means to be a true public servant. I really appreciated the time that i got to work with congressman payne on the Colorectal Cancer caucus. He was a fierce fighter against that disease. I now recognize for a moment the Ranking Member, Ranking Member thompson to honor the life and legacy of representative payne. Thank you so much, mr. Chairman. This morning, we remember the life of congressman donald m. Payne, jr. Our colleague and friend. He was a union worker, a toll collector, he literally kept the buses of excess county, new jersey, running on time. He was a free holder, a new York City Council member, a city council president. He was a congressman, a statesman, a son, father, brother and a husband. With a kind heart, a closet full of bow ties and a wit as sharp has his suits, congressman payne brought people together, but also fought for what he believed in. He gave a voice to the voiceless, he never wavered, he never backed down. While we mourn the loss of our colleague and friend we know his legacy lives on. Congressman paynes legacy lives on the work he did in congress, including right here in this committee to make every child and every school in america safe. Because of congressman paynes advocacy, the department of Homeland Security today reports to congress on School Security. Because of a law he authorized, aptally named, the department of Homeland Security must plan for childrens unique needs during disasters. His legacy lives on in the heart of his wife and lives on in the Bright Futures of his children, the triplets, donald, jack, and ivan. We pray for their peace and comfort at this difficult time. Congressman payne served in washington d. C. , but his heart never left newarks southward. Every moment he spent in the halls of congress was in service to the people of newark. Congressman donald payne, jr. Leaves a legacy to be proud of. May he rest in power and rest in peace. I yield back. I asked that the members of this committee join me in observing a moment of silence to honor congressman paynes memory. [moment of silence] thank you. The purpose of our hearing today is to receive testimony from state and local Law Enforcement, officers and the hurdles that their Law Enforcement agencies face in keeping our community safe. I now recognize myself for an Opening Statement. Good morning. Were here today to honor and recognize Law Enforcement officers nationwide during National Police week. While our nation has always been grateful to our men and women in Law Enforcement, beginning in 1962, we officially began recognizing their bravery, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to Public Safety on the 15th of may. Supporting our men and women in Law Enforcement should not be reserved for one week out of the year. Our nation should be grateful every day to this unique group of men and women who risk their lives for our freedom and who serve our communities with a distinct sense of duty and honor, theres a saying that service is the rent we pay for living on our men and women who protect us daily, pay the ultimate service and for far too many the ultimate sacrifice. Last year, 136 Law Enforcement officers were tragically killed in the line of duty. This year theres been 56 and countless others injured. Just a few weeks ago, april 16th, Police OfficerMichael Jenson of the Syracuse Police department and lieutenant of the countys Sheriffs Office in new york were shot and killed after attempting to find someone on a pursuit. And officer jenson served two and a half years and survived by parents and sister. The lieutenant served with the county Sheriffs Office for 16 years and survived by his wife and three children. I know for them and their colleagues, this loss is incomprehensible. In early may, four Law Enforcement officers were killed in charlotte, North Carolina, while attendanting to attempting to serve a warrant. And others injured. Task force officer stated he cannot remember another time in his 35year career when eight officers were attacked in one incident. 23rd Violent Attacks on Law Enforcement to significant increase in crime across the country, it is an understatement to say that americans no longer feel safe in their communities. We must provide reassurance for law abiding Citizens Holding lawmakers accountable and let the level of accountability serve as deterrence to others. Tough prosecutions, proper sentencing are no only examples of holding them accountable. That state and local jurisdictions will do what is necessary to protect their citizens and even more important, this action will communicate to Law Enforcement officers our appreciation and our commitment to equipping them with the resources required to fulfill their duties. Increasing crime rates and obstacles to prosecutors criminals are challenging enough, but dealing with these difficulties without adequate manpower and funding adds to the burden that Law Enforcement agencies across the nation are con fronting. Law enforcement agencies are not only grappling will new personnel, but attrition rates and reductions and these factors hinder the ability to fulfill the obligations to obstruct Police Departments nationwide for accessing the necessary resources to enhance their officer training. In so doing, they increase the risk to men and women of blue or in blue who risk all for us every day. By reducing Law Enforcement budgets, Police Departments will face the tough decision of lowering standards or being unable to fulfill their hiring requirements. This committee plays a Critical Role in overseeing the department of Homeland Security, which ensure the safety, security, and resilience. And the state and Law Enforcement agencies that combat the wide variety of criminals and terrorists. Different parts of our country have their own unique challenges when it comes to dealing with crime. Its important that we assure that dhs is supporting both metropolitan and Rural Communities as they confront these challenges. Today i hope we can example the ways that dhs supports these Law Enforcement agencies and identify new ways to improve. We should all work to assure the resources provided by dhs are assisting Law Enforcement as they work to carry out their important mission. Lastly, its crucial as a nation we gain a sense of appreciation and respect for the men and women in Law Enforcement who serve our community and who pay the ultimate sacrifice for our protection. We have a distinguished panel of witnesses to testify about the daily challenges, successes and strategies their officers encounter in dealing with various issues within their departments and community. Thank you again to our witnesses for being here this morning, and i look forward to this important discussion. Before i recognize the Ranking Member for his Opening Statement, i would like to welcome mr. Kenny from new york, congress, and to our committee. I look forward to working with you and i will say that your addition here takes us to Seven Members from new york. I think youre now 21 of this committee, so not sure what that means, but were glad to have you. And actually, you know, reflects back to the start of this committee and what really started it all. Were glad to have you. I recognize the Ranking Member the gentleman from mississippi, mr. Thompson, for his Opening Statement. That you, mr. Chairman. I want to thank our panel of witnesses here today and for their service to our country. In honor of National Police week, i want to recognize contributions of Law Enforcement and honor the brave officers who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe. Our nation is forever in their debt. Today the meeting for Congress State and local Law Enforcement. National police week is of great importance, but congressional support for Law Enforcement is about more than attending a ceremony or wearing a blue ribbon on your lapel. One week out of the year. Its about supporting Law Enforcement, not just where ceremonial words or symbolic gestures, but showing up when it counts and voting for the resources our Police Officers need every day. Its about saying no when a disgraced former president calls for defunding the fbi or certain members threaten it cut off to cut off funding dhs because of disagreements with the Biden Administration, its about keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of those for our kids, our houses of worship, our supermarkets, gathering places and police sworn to protect all of us. And its about honoring the Law Enforcement officers, the Capitol Police and metropolitan police and other defending this capitol and everyone in it on january 6th, 2021 while extreme major republicans tried to cut funding and undermine public trust in Law Enforcement, democrats are committed to providing federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial Law Enforcement with funding and support to keep our communities safe. I hope to hear from our Witnesses Today about supporting Community Policing efforts across the country and how congress can help fund these critical efforts. I also hope to hear from our witnesses about how we can encourage Police Forces to recruit more diverse candidates, including people of color and women, because Police Forces work best when they reflect the communities they serve. Again, i think the witnesses for joining us today and express my appreciation for all the men and women of Law Enforcement who serve communities across america with honor and integrity. The issuance of those words have been and will continue to be backed up by action. Before a close, mr. Chairman, i want to take a moment to welcome as you did a new member of our committee, the gentleman from new york mr. Kennedy. While we have quite a few new yorker serving on this panel, as ordered been said, mr. Kennedy is the only one that represents a district in western new york. His district is located on the use of canada border, and as multiple international crossings, including peace bridge. I know he will be actively engaged on northern border issues, and we welcome it. Mr. Kennedy also recently chaired the new York State SenateTransportation Committee which will be invaluable to his service on this committees transportation and maritime subcommittee. We welcome him and we wish you well. With that, mr. Chairman, i yield back. Take user. Other members of the committee reminded Opening Statements may be submitted for the record. I please have an Important Panel of witnesses before today and ask our witnesses please rise in race their right hand. [witnesses were sworn in] but the rug refloat the witnesses offensive in the affirmative. Thank you. Be seated. I like to know formally introduce our witnesses. The honorable gregory mays serves as Deputy Commissioner of Homeland Security for the Tennessee Department of safety and Homeland Security. Prior to his appointment he had distinguished group with the United States secret Service Serving in a variety of roles that spent 25 year career. Hell to vouchers degree from Auburn University where he received his commission as an officer in the United States navy to the navy yard program. Following naval flight officer training he was assigned to patrol squadron five where he was designated to patrol command and depleted whimsically numerous missions in support of operation desert storm. Sheriff mike chapman was elected Loudoun County, virginia, in 2011 and was reelected to his fourth term in 2023. He directs the largest fullservice Sheriffs Office in commonwealth of virginia and was approximate 720 deputies and 200 civilian personnel and serves a violation of 447,000 and in every of 519 square miles. Sheriff chapman is believe investing proactive and successful Law Enforcement and Community Engagement programs. During his tenure in major crime decreased 37 , greater production of intersection in the washington metropolitan area. He has also successfully led efforts in addressing the herald and the most dental problems and impacted Loudoun County. Mr. Michael bullock only serve as a present of the Austin Police association. During his time as president he has worked to address the recruiting and retention problems that affected the Austin Police report. President bullock a six year veteran of the office of the austin Police Department. Mr. Rodney bryant serves as thee president of the National BlackLaw Enforcement executives here prior to his work with the National BlackLaw Enforcement executives he served 34 years in the atlanta Police Department. During his career he climbed the ranks of the as Patrol Officer come seemed to please come Sergeant Kamala to become assistant commander in major. Highlights of his career include leading the command of the College Football playoff championship in 2018 and the super bowl, and super bowl 53 in 2019. He retired in 2020 to as the 25th as the 25th chief of the department. I think all the witnesses for being a today and i now recognize Deputy Commissioner mays for five minutes to summarize his Opening Statement. Thank you, chairman green and Ranking Member thompson for holding this hearing and for the invitation to testify with my fellow Law Enforcement leaders on some of the critical Law Enforcement and Security Issues facing the american homeland. The Tennessee Office of Homeland Security is a Law Enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction. Our primary mission is to investigate threats to life, threats to our schools, to protect our states Critical Infrastructure and major events, and work with our federal, state and local partners to prepare for and mitigate any threat to our state. Our departments