tonight officers patrick grant and michael tursi are being recognized for their efforts.hey are being awarded the gold medal of valor. [applause] >> captain paul chignell, along with officers tastings ahastingd lopez. >> good evening to you all. my pleasure to introduce richard hastings and that lopez. -- matt lopez. saturday, july 16, 2011, officer richard hastings and asked matt lopez were on duty and in uniform. their primary assignment was to be on a fixed post detail on the imminence of a railway platform on third street between oakdale avenue and plu avenue. this platform and the surrounding areas are notorious for high incidence of robberies, aggravated assaults, indiscriminate shootings, gang activity, illegal firearm possession, as well as a multitude of quality of life cripes. the bayview station has dedicated a high-level police resources to this area, particularly to a recent rash of robberies on and adjacent to the platform. well on the platform, officers tastings and lopez contacted the subject later identified as kenneth harding jr.. he was on the railway v

education, pell grants, cut severely into medicare and gave it away in tax decreases for the wealthiest among us. >> moderator: our second way question from you folks at home. >> patrickryan notes you have both played roles protecting the country. what is your view regarding torture, harsh interrogation techniques used by the military and our intelligence services? >> i'm absolutely opposed to torture. i appreciate the questioner recognizing our respective commitments and services. i respect the congressman's, but the fact is, when we were attacked on september 11th. i was in cia headquarters that day. we came together as a country afterwards and were able to bond together by the characteristics of americans that make this a great and strong country, and what we recognized is that when we are less true to our values, allow ourselves to be weakened, that's when we're put at greatest risk so we should all of u absolutely make clear, a rejection of torture and enhanced interrogation techniques. we're a country that will be respected in the country and will continue to be a moral leader in the world as long as we uphold the values and to additions and -- traditions trad t