Justin Bullock, FISM News
President Biden signed a bill that was unanimously passed in the Senate awarding local law enforcement four Congressional Gold Medals for their bravery and service during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. The bill had previously passed through the House 414-21. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest award that Congress can bestow. These medals will be displayed at the Capitol Police headquarters, the Smithsonian Institution, the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, and the US Capitol.
President Biden gave a lengthy speech after signing the bill into law recognizing the police officers’ bravery in the face of a confusing, historic, and dangerous situation:
Today, I’m signing into law the bill you sent me that awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the United States Capitol Police, the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, and other law enforcement for their service in defense of our democracy on January the 6th. To all of them, on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you, thank you, thank you for protecting our Capitol. Maybe even more importantly, for protecting our Constitution and saving the lives of duly elected members of the Senate and the House and their staffs. In these moments when we’re still debating — these were tragic hours back then — you stood in the breach. You did your duty — a duty to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The events that transpired were surprising but not your character or your courage, Chief, and all your men and women.
The local Washington D.C. and Capitol police join a cast of incredible recipients since 1776 when Congress first began issuing the award. Other recipients include George Washington, Sir Winston Churchill, Bob Hope, and Robert Frost among others.