Francis Manuel Ortega Post Office

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member, and I also thank the chair for bringing this bill forward. I also want to thank the members of the DeKalb County, Georgia, chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, as well as the Georgia chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, for helping us with this legislation.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 3274, a bill to rename the Pine Lake, Georgia, Post Office in honor of a fallen police officer, Officer Francis Manuel Ortega.

On August 11, 2005, Officer Ortega was tragically killed in front of the Pine Lake Post Office while conducting a routine traffic stop. Officer Ortega was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle for a minor traffic violation.

As Officer Ortega communicated with dispatch, the perpetrator exited his vehicle and approached the police cruiser. The perpetrator ignored Officer Ortega's order to get back into his vehicle, and a struggle ensued. The perpetrator pulled a gun, shot, and killed Officer Ortega. The killer then ran into the post office and committed suicide.

Officer Ortega was a part-time officer of the Pine Lake Police Department, and he was a full-time officer at the Georgia Regional Hospital. Officer Ortega, like many men and women who choose law enforcement as a career, was not driven by the mere pursuit of wealth. Officer Ortega was motivated by the desire to serve others and to keep our communities safe.

Unfortunately, because society doesn't pay police officers the full value of their service, Officer Ortega was forced to work a number of part-time jobs. His dedication to peace and safety within the community compelled him to work, regularly, 80-hour workweeks. As the chair just mentioned, he was a student pursuing a degree in criminal justice.

Officer Ortega is survived by his parents, Francisco and Luz; his sister, Joann; and his children, Frankey and Kaylie.

Officer Ortega made the ultimate sacrifice and gave his life to protect his community. I can think of no better way to preserve his memory and to honor his legacy than to dedicate this facility as the Francis Manuel Ortega Post Office Building.

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