[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 56 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E833-E834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COMMENDING OFFICER TIMOTHY J. MITCHELL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 1997

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, at a time when crime concerns are on 
every citizen's mind, those who have dedicated their lives to law 
enforcement are to be commended. I would like to make a special 
commendation to Officer Timothy J. Mitchell, a very devoted law 
enforcement officer from Indiana's First Congressional District. 
Officer Mitchell retired from the Schererville Police Department in 
April of this year. He will be honored by family, friends, and members 
of the Schererville Police Force at a testimonial dinner tomorrow night 
at Teibel's Restaurant in Schererville, IN.
  Tim joined the Schererville Police Department on March 31, 1977, 
after receiving an honorable discharge with the rank of sergeant from 
the U.S. Air Force in 1976. He worked in both the patrol and detective 
division of the police force, and was promoted to the rank of corporal 
on February 15, 1984. During his career with the Schererville Police 
Department, Tim participated in the Officer Friendly Program. This 
program began within the northwest Indiana region in the early 1970's, 
and was designed to educate children on issues of safety and encourage 
communication between police officers and children. As Officer 
Friendly, Tim visited schools throughout the region, teaching lessons 
of safety to children during dangerous times of the year, such as 
Halloween and summer, and promoting such programs as Bicycle Safety.
  Tim was also a participant in the Schererville Police Department's 
Drug Awareness Resistance Education program [DARE]

[[Page E834]]

for 2 years. The first Schererville police officer assigned to the DARE 
Program, Tim was instrumental in charting the program's course since 
its implementation in the department in 1989. As a DARE officer, he 
presented a program designed to encourage youth to ``say no to drugs'' 
by means of explaining the harmful effects of drugs. In addition, Tim 
took the initiative in further promoting the ``say no to drugs'' 
campaign by serving as a drug and alcohol instructor at Grimmer Middle 
School in Schererville, IN, as well as speaking on the subject for 
various organizations. Tim has chosen to utilize his experience and 
talents in teaching children by earning his bachelors degree in 
elementary teaching at Purdue University-Calumet. He hopes to spend his 
retirement teaching at Grimmer Middle School.
  In recognition of his efforts, Tim was selected Schererville's Man of 
the year by a local newspaper in 1991. Recipients of this honor are 
selected for their tireless dedication and service to their communities 
by means of public service, leadership, or simply caring for their 
town. Tim was especially honored for his dedication to the promotion of 
drug education among northwest Indiana's young people.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in congratulating Officer Timothy Mitchell on his 20 years of 
service to the Schererville Police Department. His wife, Rhonda, and 
their children, Crystal and Terry, can be proud of his devoted service 
to the citizens of Schererville.

                          ____________________