Heres a look at the president s remarks. Ladies and gentlemen, the resr recipients of medal of valor and hero iic commondations. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States accompanied by the attorney general. Is is good morning, everybody. And thank you for join, us today. Id like to thank President Trump for hosting this ceremony. And let me say that its an honor to serve under a president who has so strongly a supporter of Law Enforcement and has the back of Police Officers and First Responders. Thank you, mr. President. [ applause ] weve come together to recognize the extraordinary actions of 11 fellow citizens. The president has chosen to honor five civilians from texas, who displayed an extraordinary degree of care for their fellow man, putting their own lives at risk. We also honor six Police Officers from ohio, who put themselves between a gunman and a crowd of innocent civilians. For the people out in the dayton that night, these officers were the thin blue line between life and death. The actions of these six officers show that while that line may be thin, it is very strong. Established in 2001 the medal of valor is our nations highest Public Safety award. Officers across the nation are nominated by their peers, but only a handful are selected to receive this honor. Traditionally this process occurs only once a year, however, the law permits the attorney general to expand the total number of recipients when exceptional instances of bravery arise. So, thats what we did this year. In my eyes and in the eyes of our nation, this special recognition is warranted. Valor is a word we dont commonly hear. People can show courage and bravery confronting many different challenges in life, but valor connotes a willing putting once self in danger to protect others. We humans flee from peril. It takes a special kind of courage, extraordinary character to overcome these impulses and for the sake of others to run toward the danger. We thank god that on that horrible night in dayton, we had men of these qualities. As we honor the valor of these men, we must recognize we cannot take them and their brothers and sisters in Law Enforcement for granted. Serving as a Police Officer is the toughest job in our country. As they put themselves on the line to keep us safe, they deserve our gratitude and support. We are grateful not just for the courage of these officers but also of their families. We salute those families here today. You encounter long days and restless nights, still you endure them for all of us. Our very ability to live normal lives, to go to school, to go to work and pursue our aspirations without fear is only because of are your sacrifice. The brave actions of todays honorees from dayton and from el paso should awaken in all of us a new dedication to service and selflessness on behalf of our communities. So, god bless our heroes and their families and thank you, mr. President , for the opportunity to express our appreciation today. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. I want to thank the attorney general for not only this today but for doing an incredible job. Thank you very much, bill. I appreciate it. Today im honored to welcome you to the white house as we recognize 11 extraordinary heroes. These incredible pat rots responded to the worst violence and most barbaric hatred. The men and women standing behind us stepped forward to save the lives of their fellow americans. Few people could have done and even would have done what they did. In a few moments ill award six Police Officers from dayton, ohio, with our nations highest Public Safety award, the medal of valor. I will also honor five americans from el paso, texas, with certificates of commendation. The lives these intrepid souls. Would you all please join me in expressing our deepest gratitude and highest admiration to these unbelievably exceptional americans. Thank you. [ applause ] [ applause ] were also joined by senator john cornyn and several members of my cabinet. I want to thank you all for being here. John, thank you very much. Most importantly, to the families of our heroes, you understand better than anyone the difference your loved ones have made in the lives of so many americans. We treasure you and we really do thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Again, thank you very much. Great job. One month ago america witnessed horror beyond belief. On saturday, august 3rd at a walmart in el paso, texas, the soulless and bigoted monster killed 22 innocent people and wounded 27 others. Happened very quickly. It was a racist attack motivated by pure evil, hatred. The next day in dayton, ohio, a vile and wicked murderer stole nine lives and injured 34 others. Our nation is shocked and enraged by these inhuman and sadistic acts of blood shed. We fail to comprehend how any person could be so warped by malice and contempt. Every heart breaks for the family who lost precious loved ones and every american grieves for those who were so cruelly taken from us. In the midst of such profound anguish, one memory fills us with hope. When evil showed its hideous face, americans of all walks of live lives rose up, they did, they rose up, they defied fear, they stared down death to protect the innocent and stand tall, they did, just for righteous and for good. Several days after the shootings, the first lady and i visited both cities. We met with First Responders, hospital staff, survivors and families. We will never forget the unity and love we saw in those communities and at those hospitals. It was incredible. In ohio, i had the privilege of meeting the six dayton Police Officers who without a moments hesitation, immediately and courageously engaged the gunman, ending his attack and rescuing countless lives. Who knew and who can even understand how many lives would have been taken if they didnt act so quickly. Just after 1 00 a. M. On august 4th, these officers were patrolling the streets of downtown dayton when the killer open fire into an innocent crowd. The shooter continued firing as he ran down a sidewalk packed with people. Sergeant William Knight was stationed in his cruiser about 150 feet away. He heard the gunfire, jumped out of his car and quickly returned fire. Meanwhile, officer brian rolfes ran directly dwartoward the sho and into the onslaught of incoming bullets. Then officers jeremy campbell, vincent carter, ryan nabel and David Denlinger moved in, eng e engaging the shooter at close range, calling on years of training in the span of an instant. Many of americans saw the video footage of these officers calmly charging forward in the midst of chaos and constant fire. Without a thought for their own safety, they stood square to the target, executed their mission and brought down the murderers with precision gunfire. It was just before that maniac was ready to enter a very crowded restaurant and bar. Within 32 seconds of the start of the attack, these six officers ended the violent k rampage and saved countless lives. Today it is my immense honor to honor those with the medal of valor. Sergeant knight, rolfes, campbell, vincent carter, ryan nabel and David Denlinger. Were in awe of your professionalism, and rock solid nerves of steel. On behalf of our entire nation, we thank you for your remarkable and heroic actions in the line of duty. And we just want to thank you so much. What a great job youve done. Thank you very much. [ applause ] today we are also honoring five americans who risked their lives to save others during the brutal attack at the walmart in el paso, texas. Walmart store manager robert evans was outside the store entrance when he heard the gunman fire his first shot. Robert instantly alerted employees of the active shooter. He saw the killer go towards the store so he raced inside and rushed customers to the nearest emergency exits helping hundreds escape to safety. Incredible. Robert, he exemplify noble leadership and selfless service. Great job, robert. Thank you, robert. Walmart employee Gilbert Serna heard roberts alert over the radio and immediately, without hesitation, guided dozens of shoppers to refuge through a rear exit. Boosting some people over a 12foot wall and hiding others in shipping containers. So smart to think of that. Who would think of that under these circumstances . A lot of people would just run for their lives. He cleared out the back area of the store a minute before the shooter got there. Gilbert, your unwavering resolve inspires us all. Great job, gilbert. Good job. Marisela luna was managing the mcdonalds inside the walmart when the murderer burst into the entrance. She quickly gathered customers from the lobby and led them to refrigerators and other hiding places. Shielding them from the shooters line of sight. Thank you, marisela, for racing to rescue others from grave danger. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Mcdonalds supervisor Angelica Silva was working at another location when she got word of the active shooter. She drove straight to the scene to check on her employees. Upon arriving, angelica saw two people in the parking lot who were very, very badly wounded. She alerted First Responders and helped save the life of one of those severely injured victims. Angelica, we thank god you were there. Thank you very much. Thank you. Chris grant was picking out snacks for his kids when he suddenly saw the murderer firing at innocent shoppers a few aisles away from him. Chris grabbed, listen to this, soda bottles and anything else in front of him and began hurling them at the gunman. Distracting him from the other shoppers and causing the shooter to turn toward chris and fire at chris. Whereby chris suffered two very serious gunshot wounds, but he is recovering well and we wish him the best. His family is here. So, please thank chris for us. Please. Thank of that. In the darkest moments of danger and depair, god calls the bravest to action. These 11 individuals answered the call, they stared down evil, they put love of neighbor above life itself and we are blessed by their courage. We are honored by their presence. We are overwhelmed by their example and we are forever inspired by the goodness of their hearts, the grace of their souls and the enduring greatness of their deeds. To every one of the heroes we recognize today, thank you and god bless you all. Thank you very much. [ applause ] incredible. Now i would like to ask the military aide to come forward and read the citations, please. The medal of valor is presented to the following individuals in the face of an armed assailant in dayton, ohio. Their quick and decisive actions in the face of danger neutralized the gunman within seconds, protecting the lives of hundreds of people. Sergeant William Knight. [ applause ] officer brian rolfes. [ applause ] officer jeremy campbell. [ applause ] officer vincent carter. [ applause ] officer. Ryan nabel. [ applause ] officer David Denlinger. [ applause ] [ applause ] will the medal of valor recipients please take your seats and the commendation recipients please join the president on stage. The certificate of commendation is presented to the following individuals for acting selflessly and fearlessly to save hundreds from hateful gunman who open fire at a walmart in el paso, texas. Each of these courageous civilians could have escaped to safety during the massacre, but they instead put their own lives at jeopardy to help their neighbors find refuge and those that desperately needed medical attention. Mr. Robert evans. [ applause ] mr. Gilbert serna. [ applause ] miss marisela luna. [ applause ] miss Angelica Silva. [ applause ] accepting on behalf of her son, chris grant, miss minnie grant. [ applause ] will the medal of valor recipients please join the president on stage for one last group photo. [ applause ] thank you, everyone. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats as the president departs the east room. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats as the recipients of the medal of valor and letters of commendation exit the east room. Today the House Judiciary Committee convenes to consider a number of gun violence prevention bills. Watch live at 2 00 eastern on cspan3. Online at cspan. Org or listen live on the free cspan radio app. Wednesday is the 18th anniversary of the 9 11 terrorist attacks. Watch our live coverage at 8 30 a. M. Eastern on cspan3 from the 9 11 Memorial Plaza in new york city. The moment of silence, the reading of the names and the ringing of the bell. At 9 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan from the pentagon, a wreathlaying ceremony at the 9 11 memorial. Live coverage of the 18th anniversary of the 9 11 terrorist attacks on cspan, cspan3 and online at cspan. Org. Or listen live on the free cspan radio app. What is your vision in 2020 . Student cam 2020 is asking students, what issue do you most want to see the president ial candidates address during the campaign . Student cam is cspans nationwide video documentary competition for middle and high school students. With 100,000 in total cash prizes at stake, including a 5,000 grand prize. Students are asked to produce a short video documentary, include cspan video and reflect dufring points of view. Information to help you get started is on our website. Studentcam. Org. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and Majority Whip John Cornyn yesterday came to the floor to discuss gun violence legislation and background checks. Heres a look at their remarks. One issue of particular importance looms on this Upcoming Senate work period, that is gun safety. In the months of august, more than 50 mernz americans were killed in last shootings. The latest barrage in litany of Mass Shootings that have become all too rue seen in our country. To say nothing of the american lives lost in everyday gun violence in our community. Its on the minds of the american people. I was at the airport, someone i didnt know, grabbed my arm and he said, senator, do something about gun violence. I lost myhe
vimarsana.com © 2020. All Rights Reserved.