Senator Loeffler Honors 50th Anniversary of FLETC on Senate Floor

Staff Report

Friday, August 7th, 2020

The U.S. Senate today unanimously passed a resolution offered by U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) honoring the 50th anniversary of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), headquartered at Glynco Naval Base in Georgia. Loeffler spoke on the Senate floor to commend the work of our law enforcement officers. 

To watch Loeffler’s remarks, click here or on the image below. Video for download is available here.

Loeffler’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

“I come to the floor today to ask the Senate to pass a resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center – known as FLETC – that is headquartered in my home state of Georgia.

“This is the center that trains the federal law enforcement officers that President Trump has directed to help restore law and order in communities faced with dramatic increases in violence. 

“As part of Operation Legend, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshall’s Service and Homeland Security have been deployed to Kansas City, Chicago, Albuquerque and Detroit to reduce the alarming and rising levels of violent crime across America.

“Sadly, these brave men and women of law enforcement are under attack. Rioters have physically assaulted law enforcement – throwing rocks at them and more, causing dozens of injuries.

“It’s clear the recent surge in violence has been driven in part by a lack of leadership from left wing politicians who refuse to prosecute crime and endorse defunding the police – and are clearly intent on politicizing and demonizing our law enforcement.

“Today, I am asking the Senate to recognize the critical centers that train these dedicated officers.

“For half a century, FLETC has trained the next generation of highly-qualified federal officers.

“Headquartered at the former Glynco Naval Air Station in Georgia, FLETC has been instrumental in getting violent criminals off the streets and protecting our communities for five decades.   

“Every year, FLETC facilities train nearly 70,000 officers from 95 federal law enforcement agencies as well as state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies. 

“This includes the agents from the FBI, DEA, ATF and Customs and Border Protection Agency. It includes the Secret Service, Park Police and the U.S. Capitol Police officers who keep all of us here safe every day.

“In Georgia, FLETC is a cornerstone of our coastal community, where agents train in a mock town complete with banks, shops and hotels to mimic real world scenarios. There are programs in cyber terrorism, active shooter threats and financial forensics. 

“As FLETC Director Thomas Walters recently that ‘FLETC is the only institution in the U.S. that has the capability and capacity to train the new federal officers that will replace the thousands of officers that retire from federal service in a typical year.’

“At a time when law enforcement is under more scrutiny than ever, it’s important that we take an opportunity to recognize the hard work that goes into training and preparing our federal law enforcement officers, particularly in my home state of Georgia. 

“Madam president, as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S.Res. 668, submitted earlier today… 

“…I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered, made and agreed to with no intervening action or debate.”