00:06On behalf of every person who was inside that ballroom and every family who got to hear their
00:12loved ones say, don't worry, I'm okay, we thank you. One officer placed himself directly in harm's
00:19way and engaged the armed suspect. Even after gunfire struck his protective vest, he stayed in
00:26the fight and the attacker was stopped. I know many of us have wondered what if he hadn't acted in
00:33that
00:33exact way? What if he had waited a few more seconds? His courage that night reflects the core values of
00:40the Secret Service, duty, justice, courage, honesty, and loyalty, and as a commitment to safeguarding
00:47his country and community. They also shaped his career first as an infantryman and section leader
00:53in the United States Marine Corps, and since 2022 as an officer of the Secret Service protecting the
01:00White House complex and our nation's leaders. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present
01:07the WHCA President's Award for Exceptional Service to Officer Victor Gonzalez of the United States Secret
01:14Service.
01:16APPLAUSE
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