[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 83 (Friday, June 7, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1031-E1032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO TOP POLICE CHIEF

                                 ______


                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 1996

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Police Chief 
Salvatore Rosano of Santa Rosa, CA, who retires this month after 22 
years of impeccable public service, and as a hero to our community. I 
would like to share with my colleagues Chief Rosano's enumerable 
accomplishments over his 38 years of public service which have made him 
one of California's most highly praised guardians of safety.
  Chief Rosano started his career in public safety at the age of 19. He 
was appointed police chief to the city of South San Francisco in 1970--
the youngest police chief in the State of California, and served as 
president of the San Mateo County Law Enforcement Chiefs' Association. 
In 1974 he was selected as chief for the city of Santa Rosa where he 
proudly served 22 years. Throughout his career, Chief Rosano's natural 
leadership skills made him a major player in California law 
enforcement, and he served on many State law enforcement boards, 
commissions, and public safety organizations.

[[Page E1032]]

  Chief Rosano's statewide and countywide service is renowned and 
endless. Chief among his local accomplishments are his implementation 
of a neighborhood oriented policing program to better address our 
community policing needs. His leadership also helped set in motion a 
gang enforcement program, developed a unique environmental crimes unit, 
and organized one of the few bomb and explosive devise units in 
northern California.
  With any good leader comes a road of hard knocks from those opposed 
to change. It's no surprise that Chief Rosano is no stranger to 
criticism for his outspoken support of gun controls and for initiating 
the city of Santa Rosa's gun exchange program. With almost 700 weapons 
exchanged, this event was the most successful gun exchange program in 
California. Recently, the Sonoma County Peace and Justice Center 
announced their plans to host the city's second gun exchange program in 
honor of the retiring chief. This program is a model for public-private 
partnerships between local businesses, the community, and law 
enforcement.
  Chief Rosano's longstanding career of achievement earned him the 
California Peace Officers Association's Law Enforcement Professional of 
the Year, the most prestigious award in the law enforcement profession. 
Chief Rosano is also the longest-serving chief in the State of 
California, and the city of Santa Rosa is extremely grateful for the 
top service and protection he has provided the community.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Chief Rosano for 
his exemplary service over the past 38 years. As a nation, we are in 
debt to the efforts and dedication of individuals, who, like Chief 
Rosano, place the safety and well-being of others above their own 
safety. I salute Chief Rosano, and wish he and his family much success 
with their future plans.

                          ____________________