[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 40 (Friday, March 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E511]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 HONORING OWEN KIRBY AND GARY DELA RABA

                                 ______


                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 3, 1995
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my constituents 
in the Fifth Congressional District and the members of the police 
officers of Nassau County, NY, as they gather to observe Nassau Police 
Conference Appreciation Night, and to honor Owen Kirby and Gary Dela 
Raba.
  Owen Kirby, past Nassau Police Conference president, has truly 
brought honor to the citizens of Nassau County through his unfailing 
support of effective police work. Growing up in East Meadow, Long 
Island, Owen completed his schooling and went on to serve in the U.S. 
Army. Several years after his discharge, Owen took the police 
examination and was soon assigned to the Sands Point Police Department. 
His awareness of police concerns and a desire to provide more effective 
service to the public soon led to his involvement in the Police 
Benevolent Association and the Nassau Police Conference. He held 
several positions which include coeditor of the Blotter, the 
organization's publication, delegate, corresponding secretary, and 
second vice president. In 1987, in recognition of his outstanding 
service and enormous potential, his colleagues elected him president of 
the Nassau Police Conference.
  Gary Dela Raba, president of the Nassau County Police Benevolent 
Association, is yet another unique individual who has devoted himself 
to the betterment of his fellow police officers and the more effective 
delivery of police services to Nassau County. Beginning as a police 
cadet in 1971, Gary was first assigned to the eighth precinct. It was 
here that he began to familiarize himself with the Police Benevolent 
Association's [PBA] collective bargaining system. In 1975, Gary was 
elected as a PBA trustee and began a process that would enable him to 
use his human relations expertise to enhance the professional standing 
of Nassau County's police.
  As a trustee, Gary served on many committees and was eventually 
appointed to the PBA board of governors. In 1981, he was elected second 
vice president of the Nassau PBA. By 1988, this thorough understanding 
of the multiplicity of issues impacting on police officers led to his 
election as PBA president. As president, he has continuously worked at 
making the Nassau Police Department recognized throughout the country 
as one of professionalism and effectiveness.
  Mr. Speaker, as we search for modern day heroes to lead our society, 
we could find no better role models than Owen Kirby and Gary Dela Raba.
  I ask all my colleagues in the House to join with me in paying 
tribute to these two outstanding police officers.


                          ____________________