[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING SHERIFF CHARLES A. FUSELIER, SHERIFF OF THE YEAR

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. HAYES

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 15, 1996

  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, when I heard that my friend of over 25 years 
was being honored by the National Sheriff's Association as ``Sheriff of 
the Year,'' I was gratified to know that the national law enforcement 
community was finally acknowledging what the citizens of St. Martin 
Parish and all of Acadiana have known for a long time--that Charles 
August Fuselier is one of the most effective, top flight sheriffs in 
the country.
  In his statement, Sheriff Fuselier said he was ``shocked'' to learn 
of his selection by the National Sheriff's Association. He should not 
have been. Charles Fuselier's dedication to public service and the 
protection of the public in his rural South Louisiana Parish is 
unparalleled. Like his father before him, Sheriff Fuselier demonstrates 
every day total commitment to making St. Martin Parish a safer place to 
live, work, and raise a family.
  Through his leadership and his work on the Triad Program, St. Martin 
Parish became a testing ground and model for all of America in 
preventing crimes against our senior citizens. The Triad forms a 
coalition between local sheriffs, police chiefs, and senior citizens' 
groups to reduce the victimization and unwarranted fear of crime which 
disproportionately plagues senior citizens. By bringing the Triad 
concept to life, Sheriff Fuselier has opened up the lines of 
communication with seniors in the community and has made the seniors 
feel more comfortable and trusting that their interests will be 
protected.
  Sheriff Fuselier once told me that he received more than a 10-fold 
return on his investments using volunteers, who work in his office 2 to 
3 days a week, so that crimes have been quickly resolved because of 
greater senior participation. While in the Congress I may have worked 
to ensure Federal involvement in Triad, but Triad is growing across the 
country because of the efforts and devotion of Sheriff Fuselier. The 
Triad information network has the potential to be the cornerstone of 
future crime fighting activities within the seniors community.
  I commend the National Sheriff's Association for bestowing my friend 
with this honor and congratulate Sheriff Fuselier for the great 
achievement of being named ``Sheriff of the Year.''

                          ____________________