Xochitl Torres Small

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of Alvin Francis Jones, a lifelong New Mexican judge, lawyer, and community leader.

Born in New Mexico in 1944, Alvin earned a bachelor's degree from New Mexico Tech and a juris doctor from the University of New Mexico.

He began his career in private practice and was later appointed to New Mexico's Fifth Judicial District in Roswell, where he served for 19 years, many as chief judge.

During his time on the bench, he founded the local chapters of CASA to help vulnerable children navigate the State legal system, and Character Counts, teaching children the value of good character.

After retiring from the bench in 2004, Alvin joined a private practice, where he specialized in water law.

For me, he was a personal example of character. He had a dogged work ethic, and he also dedicated time and resources to mentor New Mexicans.

A pillar of the community who was loved by his family and friends alike, Alvin leaves behind a legacy of selfless service to New Mexico.

We are grateful and will miss him dearly.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as Americans to address this issue and to recognize National Police Week, to support the brave men and women who protect and serve our communities every day, and to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The work you do is extraordinary, and it makes me proud to be the granddaughter of a former Las Cruces police sergeant, Angel Torres. He didn't talk much about his work on the beat, but

throughout my life, I have been stopped by people who have told me the difference he made in their life because he showed he cared by holding people accountable. He was the true embodiment of what it means to be a selfless public servant, just like so many in New Mexico and across the country.

It means something, something I will never fully understand, to know that every day you risk your life because of what you do.

It means something, something I will never understand, to know that every day and every time you enforce the law, you could lose your life because you signed up to serve.

As you risk your life to treat people with humanity, dignity, and respect, that is superhuman. That is why, during National Police Week and every day, we support our law enforcement officers and work to ensure they have the resources they need to protect and serve our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1594) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a process to review applications for certain grants to purchase equipment or systems that do not meet or exceed any applicable national voluntary consensus standards, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1594, the First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act.

Our Nation's first responders put their lives on the line to ensure all of us are safe. These brave women and men should have access to the equipment they need to protect lives and property around the country.

One of the Department of Homeland Security's most important missions is to help ensure the effectiveness of our Nation's emergency services sector. Key avenues for such support are the Department's counterterrorism grant programs: the Urban Area Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Grant Program.

Unfortunately, the grant guidance for these grant programs sometimes hinders first responders' ability to acquire innovative counterterrorism equipment. Today, each piece of equipment must meet or exceed national voluntary consensus standards.

Although FEMA will review requests to purchase equipment that does not meet consensus standards, the Committee on Homeland Security has learned from stakeholders that the process lacks uniformity, predictability, and transparency. The process for developing voluntary consensus standards for first responder equipment has not kept pace with the evolution of technology or the demands of first responders.

H.R. 1594 would direct FEMA to implement a standard process for reviewing applications to purchase equipment that do not meet consensus standards or for equipment not included on FEMA's authorized equipment list. H.R. 1594 seeks to ensure that the safety of our first responders remains a top priority.

As today's threats faced by first responders are constantly evolving, it is important that our technology evolve, too. Enactment of H.R. 1594 will help ensure first responders can do their job more safely and effectively.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, by passing this bill today, we can ensure first responders have a reliable and uniform process for acquiring technologies and equipment that will keep them and our communities safe. The House unanimously passed previous versions of this bill in the prior two Congresses.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support me in passing this legislation today. As the gentleman from Pennsylvania said, they have our backs, we should have their backs.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.