[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO THE LAKE COUNTY FOP

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 1997

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to congratulate 
the Fraternal Order of Police [FOP], Lake County Anton Lodge No. 125. 
Yesterday, the Lake County FOP began hosting the annual Indiana State 
Fraternal Order of Police Golf Tournament at Broadmoor Country Club in 
Merrillville, IN and Summertree Golf Club in Crown Point, IN. 
Specifically, I would like to congratulate Lake County FOP chairman, 
Patrick Tracy, and co-chairmen, Robert Porras and Tony Ramirez, on the 
leadership they have displayed in organizing this event. The Lake 
County Anton Lodge is expecting the 2-day event to attract over 400 
golfers throughout the State of Indiana. Several executive officers of 
the Indiana Fraternal Order of Police will be in attendance at this 
tournament, including State president, Mike Cook, State vice-president 
and Anton Lodge No. 125 president, Tim Downs, national trustee, Robert 
Imborek, and former national president of the Fraternal Order of 
Police, R. Pat Stark.
  The largest and most commanding voice on behalf of our Nation's law 
enforcement officers, the FOP was founded in 1915 in Pittsburgh, PA, 
with the intent of improving the working conditions of police who were 
assigned long and tedious shifts 365 days of the year. Since 1915, the 
organization's membership has grown to nearly 2,000 local lodges, with 
almost 270,000 members nationwide. The FOP has, over the years, 
successfully served as a unifying voice for the men and women 
protecting our communities by providing its members with the latest 
developments in labor and employee relations through both an aggressive 
schedule of seminars and several prominent publications. Due to the 
dissemination of information pertaining to bargaining, employee 
relations, and representation, more labor contracts are negotiated by 
FOP lodges than by any other professional police association. The FOP 
proudly attributes its success to the foundation of its organization, 
which is best described in the phrase ``Police Representing Police.''
  The Fraternal Order of Police has also effectively represented the 
interests of its members through the pursuit of an aggressive national 
legislative agenda, advancing issues important to rank-and-file law 
enforcement officers. The National Legislative Program of the FOP, the 
most active and comprehensive of any law enforcement organization in 
Washington, is committed to legislation which will support better 
living and working conditions for law enforcement officers, improve 
safety for officers on the job, and continue to increase the level of 
efficiency and professionalism of law enforcement.
  Through its local lodges, the Fraternal Order of Police plays a 
crucial role in bettering the relationship between law enforcement and 
local communities. Local FOP lodges have been active in such programs 
as youth sports, drug and crime awareness programs, and other community 
activities which have served to integrate the efforts of police forces 
and individual citizens in combating crime. It is through the support 
of events, like the annual golf tournament, that the FOP can continue 
its fine work in strengthening our communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in commending the Fraternal Order of Police, Anton Lodge No. 125, as 
it hosts the Annual Indiana State Golf Tournament. The work the Lake 
County Fraternal Order of Police has done for our communities has 
undoubtedly improved the quality of life in Indiana's First 
Congressional District.

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