Mount Pleasant Police Capt. Paul Lauria honored by Rep. Kevin Cotter at ceremony

Sept. 11, 2012, marked the 11-year anniversary of the tragic events that forever changed our country.

Last week, the Michigan House of Representatives met to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on that tragic day, as well as first responders throughout Michigan who continue to work for us everyday.

This year, Mount Pleasant Police Department Capt. Paul Lauria was invited and honored at the ceremony as the guest of State Rep. Kevin Cotter, R-Mich.

“Each member is given the opportunity to invite a first responder from their district to join them during House session,” Cotter said.

He said he chose to bring Lauria to the event because of the hard work and dedication he puts into his job and into the department.

“Capt. Lauria and the Mount Pleasant Police Department work every day to keep the City of Mount Pleasant safe for its citizens,” he said. “It was my honor to have him join me this year.”

Likewise, Lauria said the fact that Cotter chose him as his guest was an honor he will never forget.

“It is a great honor,” he said. “He is very well-liked among peers and fellow representatives from both political parties.”

Lauria said in the past he has been to several events to honor officers killed in the line of duty, but nothing on a national scale like Sept. 11.

“It was a very thoughtful and very well-thought out event,” he said. “It was an educational and emotional experience.”

Lauria said his favorite part of the ceremony was when the law enforcement and first responders were asked to stand and were applauded by the representatives for their work in the field.

“It was a nice long, loud applause,” he said. “You could tell it was sincere.”

Aside from the acknowledgment, Cotter said the ceremony included a moment of silence, remarks by Speaker of the House Jase Bolger and individual acknowledgement of Michigan first responders and soldiers killed in the line of duty over the past year.

“As a member of the House of Representatives, it is an honor to have the opportunity to recognize our first responders from the 99th district,” Cotter said. “Their dedication to public safety and well-being is truly commendable.”