[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 18, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6413-S6414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO SHERIFF CHARLES A. FUSELIER, NATIONAL SHERIFF OF THE YEAR

 Mr. JOHNSTON. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I 
rise to honor Sheriff Charles Fuselier who has been named sheriff of 
the year by the National Sheriffs' Association. The renowned national 
Ferris E. Lucus Award presented annually by the National Sheriff's 
Association, recognizes

[[Page S6414]]

the accomplishments, outstanding public service and strong leadership 
qualities of its recipient. Of the forty-two sheriffs in the Nation to 
have been nominated, Sheriff Fuselier holds the distinction of being 
the first sheriff from Louisiana to receive this most prestigious 
award.
  Sheriff Fuselier, who is currently serving his fifth term in office, 
is a very valuable resource both to St. Martin Parish and the State of 
Louisiana. He has demonstrated time and time again his dedication to 
the citizens of St. Martin Parish through his many accomplishments 
which have touched the lives of many people and had an overwhelmingly 
positive impact on the State as a whole.
  When Sheriff Fuselier took office in 1980, the staff consisted of 28 
deputies. Currently, the sheriff's office boasts a 160 deputy staff. 
This is just one of the many instances where Sheriff Fuselier 
recognized a critical need and took the necessary steps to better serve 
the people of St. Martin Parish. Other examples of his leadership and 
dedication include the establishment of law enforcement centers, parish 
prisons and a special emergency reaction team. Sheriff Fuselier has not 
only recognized the law enforcement needs of the parish but also the 
individuals under his care with the implementation of an inmate 
rehabilitation program.
  Due to his tireless efforts to enhance the delivery of law 
enforcement services and combat the victimization of older persons, 
Sheriff Fuselier was instrumental in creating the first TRIAD program 
in the Nation in Louisiana. He heard about the TRIAD concept at a 
national FBI forum, knew it would help the people of St. Martin Parish 
and began a TRIAD program within weeks of having heard about it. Thus 
having earned the title ``Father TRIAD,'' he has also instructed and 
moderated numerous TRIAD workshops and seminars providing assistance to 
develop TRIAD programs throughout Louisiana and the Nation.
  Through his work on a myriad of law enforcement task forces, study 
groups, and commissions, Sheriff Fuselier has made many very important 
contributions to the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association and the National 
Sheriffs' Association. In fact, Sheriff Fuselier served in every 
position of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association and also in many 
capacities on the National Sheriffs' Association such as the crime 
prevention committee and the national TRIAD advisory board.
  I congratulate Sheriff Fuselier on receiving this very prestigious 
award and also on his contributions to the State and national criminal 
justice system. His achievements are truly an inspiration and the 
national sheriff of the year award is well deserved.

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