[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO CHIEF BEN SURPRISE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. OLVER

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 1997

  Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ben Surprise, a man who 
has faithfully and dutifully served his fellow citizens of Westfield, 
MA for the past 37 years as a member of the Police Department.
  Beginning as a reserve officer in October, 1960, Ben officially 
retired as chief on May 31, 1997. During that period he moved from 
reserve officer, to patrolman, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. His 
record is unblemished.
  But Ben's service to others was not limited to the range of his 
cruiser. In 1950 he became a member of the U.S. Air Force and in 1957 
joined the Air National Guard being stationed in France during the 
Berlin crisis. In 1983 he was named NCO of the year, and in 1989 he 
retired after 39 years.
  Among his many citations as a police officer he includes a 
certificate of appreciation from the Drug Enforcement Administration.
  Chief Surprise has been married for 37 years and is the proud father 
of six children, and grandfather of three.
  I am happy today to bring to my colleagues and the Nation recognition 
of Chief Surprise's life-long service to his community and his country.
  He has earned an honorable and long retirement.

                          ____________________