Oregon — U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced the installation of a commemorative plaque honoring U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement officers who responded to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Merkley said the plaque recognizes the actions of officers who protected members of Congress, staff, and the Capitol building during the events that disrupted the certification of the 2020 presidential election.
“We must be honest with the American people about what happened during the horrific events of January 6th,” Merkley said in a statement. “That demands recognizing those brave officers who protected the U.S. Capitol from violent insurrectionists and defended our very democratic republic on that day.”
The installation follows bipartisan legislation led by Merkley and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), which directed the Architect of the Capitol to display the plaque in a publicly accessible location in the Senate wing until it can be placed permanently on the Capitol’s western front.
Congress previously mandated the plaque through a provision in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022. That law required a commemorative marker honoring law enforcement officers who responded to the attack to be installed by March 2023.
The resolution passed unanimously in the Senate earlier this year, clearing the way for the plaque’s temporary display while preparations are made for its permanent installation.
Supporters of the measure say it recognizes the service and sacrifices of law enforcement personnel who responded to the breach of the Capitol. The January 6 attack resulted in injuries to numerous officers and significant property damage inside the building.
At the same time, the events of January 6 continue to generate political debate. Many Democratic lawmakers describe the incident as an insurrection and a threat to democratic institutions, while some Republicans characterize it as a riot and criticize what they view as ongoing political focus on the event.
The plaque honors officers from the U.S. Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and other federal, state, and local agencies who assisted during the response.
According to the resolution, the United States “owes its deepest gratitude” to the officers who protected the Capitol and those inside it during the events of January 6, 2021.
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WHO CARES !!!!!! Cant even go to a state of the union WORTHLESS DEMS