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Speaker Pelosi's Floor Speech Honoring Distinguished Service of U.S. Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa

May 22, 2019
Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks on the Floor of the House of Representatives honoring the distinguished service of U.S. Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa, following his retirement after 34 years of service in law enforcement:


Speaker Pelosi. Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to rise to join our distinguished Republican Leader, Mr. McCarthy, to honor the dedicated, distinguished service of an outstanding public servant, United States Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa.

Presiding Officer. Without objection the gentlewoman is recognized.

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, throughout 34 years in law enforcement, Police Chief Verderosa has proven himself as a leader of the highest patriotism and professionalism, who has proudly carried forth the Capitol Police's nearly two century history of storied service.

Chief Verderosa has held seemingly every consequential job in the Capitol Police, from the fields of emergency response, to dignitary protection, to the highest ranks of the leadership. And through it all, he's distinguished himself for his strong, steady leadership, particularly during some of the most challenging times for the Capitol police force and the Congress.

That outstanding leadership was on display at the 2017 Congressional Baseball shooting two years ago next month.

Chief Verderosa responded to that attack with courage, vision and grace, bringing help and healing to those affected and to our entire congressional community.

In every day of his tenure, he's led with the same qualities, navigating everything from mass protests to the more than 11 million annual visitors to the Capitol Grounds, to multiple lying in state and lying in honor ceremonies. Chief Verderosa has earned the respect of all the rank and file officers of the Capitol Police, Members of Congress, foreign dignitaries and the American people.

On a personal note, as someone that benefits from the protection of Capitol Police every day and everywhere I go, I want to express my gratitude to Chief Verderosa for his hard work and commitment to the safety of all Members.

In his retirement statement, Chief Verderosa said, ‘The mission of the Department is simple: we protect the legislative process.'

Chief Verderosa, thank you for your relentless dedication to protecting the legislative process, and this legislative body, ensuring that the people's House can do the people's work.

We are profoundly grateful. We wish you well in your well-earned retirement. Thank you, Chief Verderosa.

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