Daniel Meuser, PA
Linked statement
“Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael Pahira was killed on duty by a truck driver who was in the country illegally. I ask for a moment of silence to honor him. I also want Congress to pass a bill that requires commercial truck drivers to read English and be in the country legally.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise alongside my colleagues with a heavy heart with the Pennsylvania delegation to honor the courageous life and tragic loss of Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael Pahira who was killed earlier this month in the line of duty. Trooper Michael Pahira was born and raised in my district. He was named for his father, Michael Sr., and was known as Mikey throughout his life. Trooper Pahira graduated from North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School in 2001 where he was a standout football and wrestling star. After attending East Stroudsburg University, Michael answered the call of service and entered the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, graduating in 2007 as a proud member of 124th Cadet Class of Pennsylvania State Troopers. Over the next two decades, Trooper Pahira would serve his State with distinction protecting communities in Lehighton, Schuylkill Haven, and Frackville. I attended the funeral service for Trooper Pahira last week alongside his parents, Michael Sr. and Patricia; his sister, Jennifer; and thousands of community members; fellow police officers; friends, and law enforcement from throughout the State who gathered to honor his legacy. The stories shared by those who knew him best painted the picture of a man of character, humility, and unwavering dedication. Respect was a constant theme throughout the service. Trooper Pahira lived a life defined by respect for his community, his family, and his fellow troopers. We can honor the memory of Trooper Pahira and show more respect for the men and women of law enforcement and the communities they serve by implementing some commonsense legislation that can prevent such senseless tragedies from happening again. On the morning of July 1, Trooper Pahira was on duty conducting a routine commercial vehicle inspection on Route 81 in Schuylkill County when a truck driven by a Michael Bon struck and killed him. Bon was in the country illegally, ordered to deport, did not do so, and was operating a commercial vehicle with a nondomiciled commercial driver’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I am calling on every Member of Congress to support Dalilah’s Law to bring common sense and strength in commercial driver’s license requirements, ensuring those with commercial driver’s licenses can read English and are in the United States with legal status. It is our duty to do all we can to provide such safety for law enforcement and everyone on America’s roadways. Trooper Pahira faithfully served the people of Pennsylvania for nearly two decades, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten. On behalf of the entire Pennsylvania delegation, I want to offer our deepest sorrow and condolences to the Pahira family; his lifelong friends; the great, brave Pennsylvania State Troopers; and all those mourning Mikey’s loss. In honor of Trooper Michael Pahira’s life of service, I ask my colleagues to join us in a moment of silence.”
Mr. Speaker, I rise alongside my colleagues with a heavy heart with the Pennsylvania delegation to honor the courageous life and tragic loss of Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael Pahira who was killed earlier this month in the line of duty. Trooper Michael Pahira was born and raised in my district. He was named for his father, Michael Sr., and was known as Mikey throughout his life. Trooper Pahira graduated from North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School in 2001 where he was a standout football and wrestling star. After attending East Stroudsburg University, Michael answered the call of service and entered the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, graduating in 2007 as a proud member of 124th Cadet Class of Pennsylvania State Troopers. Over the next two decades, Trooper Pahira would serve his State with distinction protecting communities in Lehighton, Schuylkill Haven, and Frackville. I attended the funeral service for Trooper Pahira last week alongside his parents, Michael Sr. and Patricia; his sister, Jennifer; and thousands of community members; fellow police officers; friends, and law enforcement from throughout the State who gathered to honor his legacy. The stories shared by those who knew him best painted the picture of a man of character, humility, and unwavering dedication. Respect was a constant theme throughout the service. Trooper Pahira lived a life defined by respect for his community, his family, and his fellow troopers. We can honor the memory of Trooper Pahira and show more respect for the men and women of law enforcement and the communities they serve by implementing some commonsense legislation that can prevent such senseless tragedies from happening again. On the morning of July 1, Trooper Pahira was on duty conducting a routine commercial vehicle inspection on Route 81 in Schuylkill County when a truck driven by a Michael Bon struck and killed him. Bon was in the country illegally, ordered to deport, did not do so, and was operating a commercial vehicle with a nondomiciled commercial driver’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I am calling on every Member of Congress to support Dalilah’s Law to bring common sense and strength in commercial driver’s license requirements, ensuring those with commercial driver’s licenses can read English and are in the United States with legal status. It is our duty to do all we can to provide such safety for law enforcement and everyone on America’s roadways. Trooper Pahira faithfully served the people of Pennsylvania for nearly two decades, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten. On behalf of the entire Pennsylvania delegation, I want to offer our deepest sorrow and condolences to the Pahira family; his lifelong friends; the great, brave Pennsylvania State Troopers; and all those mourning Mikey’s loss. In honor of Trooper Michael Pahira’s life of service, I ask my colleagues to join us in a moment of silence.