<p><strong><em>Remarks as Delivered</em></strong></p>
<div class="mh-content-ad"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9162800720558968"
 crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
 style="display:block; text-align:center;"
 data-ad-layout="in-article"
 data-ad-format="fluid"
 data-ad-client="ca-pub-9162800720558968"
 data-ad-slot="1081854981"></ins>
<script>
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script></div>
<p>Good morning. Please be seated. Thank you.</p>
<p>Today, we recognize a group of heroes deserving of our nation’s highest award for public service officers: the Medal of Valor.</p>
<p>These extraordinary individuals were nominated by public safety leaders from across the country because of their acts of bravery and heroism in 2021 and 2022.</p>
<p>I am grateful to the Justice Department’s Medal of Valor Review Board, Bureau of Justice Assistance, and Office of Justice Programs for their review and recommendations of this year’s recipients.</p>
<p>And I am honored to be here alongside President Biden as he confers these awards.</p>
<p>The nine individuals we recognize today have demonstrated “extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty” while acting to save or protect another person’s life.</p>
<p>They have acted with great courage, and at great risk to themselves. </p>
<p>They have shown uncommon decisiveness and presence of mind. </p>
<p>Two of them made the ultimate sacrifice – giving their lives in service to their communities.</p>
<p>To the families and loved ones of Detectives Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera:</p>
<p>We know it is impossible to understand the grief you endure, or to fully comprehend your loss.</p>
<p>You have our deepest condolences and our unending gratitude. Through our work to keep our communities safe, we will honor the legacies of Detectives Mora and Rivera.</p>
<p>And to all of the family members and loved ones who are with us today – thank you for supporting these heroes as they have pursued their careers in public safety.</p>
<p>At the end of every shift, you are there. It is your care and encouragement that makes it possible for our public safety officers to do their jobs. </p>
<p>We are so grateful to you.</p>
<p>Every day, in communities across the country, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency services officers are asked to respond to our most difficult moments.</p>
<p>And every day, without hesitation, you answer the call.</p>
<p>You are on the frontlines of our nation’s most pressing public safety challenges.</p>
<p>And you are the Justice Department’s indispensable partners in our shared work to keep our communities safe.</p>
<p>From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of the entire Department of Justice – thank you.</p>
<p>I am now honored to introduce President Biden, who will confer these well-deserved awards.</p>
<p>Thank you, Mr. President, for bringing us together today, and for your support of the extraordinary heroes who keep our communities safe.</p>
<p> Speaker: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/staff-profile/meet-attorney-general" rel="noreferrer noopener" >Attorney General Merrick B. Garland</a>Component(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/ag/" rel="noreferrer noopener" >Office of the Attorney General</a> </p>
<p> Updated May 17, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-delivers-remarks-medal-valor-ceremony-0>Original Article</a></p>