[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 56 (Thursday, May 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING CHIEF OF POLICE ROY SUMISAKI FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO 
                         THE CITY OF GILROY, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 7, 1998

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
achievement of Chief of Police Roy Sumisaki, who has served the city of 
Gilroy, California for more then 7 years.
  Through trials and triumph Chief Sumisaki has distinguished himself 
as a devoted crime fighter in a career that has spanned 28 years.
  Born in a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II, 
Chief Sumisaki graduated from Gilroy High School and joined the United 
States Army. His career, which included at tour of duty in Vietnam as 
an intelligence officer, spanned 32 years, 8 of which were on active 
duty. He retired from the Army a Lieutenant Colonel.
  During his military service, Chief Sumisaki was awarded the Purple 
Heart, two Bronze Stars, and Air Medal, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, 
and the Vietnamese Honor Medal.
  Soon after resigning from active duty military service, Chief 
Sumisaki pursued a career in law enforcement. He holds a master's 
degree in police administration from Golden Gate University and 
attended the FBI National Academy. He joined the Pacifica Police 
Department in 1974, and later transferred to the Marina Police 
Department, rising to the rank of Commander.
  While later serving with the Chico Police Department, he rose to the 
rank of Captain. In 1990 he returned home to Gilroy to become the first 
Asian-American police chief in the continental U.S.
  During his tenure Chief Sumisaki worked tirelessly to make Gilroy a 
safer place to live and work. A testament to his high level of 
professionalism, Chief Sumisaki was awarded the National Police 
Commendation Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Chief Roy Sumisaki upon his 
retirement from the Gilroy Police Department.

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