Honoring Chicago Police Officer Joseph P. Cali

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) honored fallen Chicago Police Officer Joseph P. Cali on the House floor and asked his colleagues to support his bill to dedicate a U.S. post office in northwest Chicago in Officer Cali's name.

Below is a video and transcript of the speech.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker,

And I thank the gentleman from Georgia, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia for yielding me my time.

Today, I come before you in strong support of H.R. 5676 to designate the Post Office located at 6300 North Northwest Highway in Chicago, Illinois, as the “Officer Joseph P. Cali Post Office Building.”

It is with great honor that I seek to designate this postal facility in my district in the memory of Officer Cali, a hero who dedicated his life to protecting the people of Chicago.

Before joining the force in 1973, Officer Cali enlisted in the United States Army and valiantly served our country in Vietnam.

After returning from Vietnam, Officer Cali continued his service to his country and community by joining the Chicago police force.

In just two years as an officer, Officer Cali received five honorable mention awards and two letters of commendation—a remarkable accomplishment in such a short period of time.

While working on his day off in May of 1975, Officer Cali was tragically murdered by a sniper during a routine traffic stop.

He was only 31 years old when he was tragically killed, and was survived by his wife, Neva, and two young daughters, Jennifer and Carolyn.

Officer Cali’s incredible effort to serve and protect the people of Chicago with humility and perseverance will always be remembered.

I hope that this post office can stand in Officer Cali’s name to memorialize his courage and his dedication to the City of Chicago and his country.

I urge my fellow colleagues to support this bill to honor his memory and his sacrifice.

Thank you and I yield back.