[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 154 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S14768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO MR. JAMES N. RUOTSALA ON HIS RETIREMENT AS SHERIFF OF 
                          HOUGHTON COUNTY, MI

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. 
James N. Ruotsala. In so doing, I join with the members of his 
community who are honoring him on October 13, 1995 during a reception 
commemorating his 28 years of service and his retirement as Sheriff of 
Houghton County, MI.
  James is a native of Hancock, MI and moved as a child to Flat Rock, 
MI where he graduated from Flat Rock High School in 1962. He entered 
the U.S. Navy in February of 1963. On January 16, 1965 he married 
Judith I. Walman and they have five sons: James, John, Jason, Jared, 
and Justin.
  Following his honorable discharge from the service in February of 
1967, he returned to the Houghton-Hancock area and began his tenure 
with the Houghton-County Sheriff Department in March of that year. 
During his affiliation with the Department he served as a Marine 
officer, a deputy, a sergeant, and finally as a lieutenant. He was 
elected Houghton County sheriff and served from 1981 through September 
14, 1995.
  During 1989 and 1990 Sheriff Ruotsala served as the President of the 
Michigan Sheriff's Association, and is highly respected by law 
enforcement personnel throughout the State.
  Mr. President, I ask you along with all of my colleagues in the 
Senate to join with me in honoring this outstanding citizen. His legacy 
of unselfish service is something we all should strive to 
emulate.

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