[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SALUTE TO LARRY CARPENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 1998

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to an 
outstanding public servant on his retirement, Ventura County Sheriff 
Larry Carpenter. Sheriff Carpenter protected the people of Ventura 
County, California, for almost 30 years, serving the community as a 
defender of the law and an educator of safety. I am proud to say Larry 
has been my friend for many, many years.
  As a committed and highly ethical officer of the law, Larry quickly 
climbed the ladder of rank and responsibility within the department. 
Joining the Ventura County Sheriff's Department in 1969 he has served 
in many capacities, from public speaking, to personnel and training, to 
narcotics, to managing court services and custody. In 1974, Larry was 
promoted to senior deputy sheriff and later that same year, promoted 
again, making him a sergeant. In 1984, Larry was appointed undersheriff 
and managed the operations of the entire department as second in 
command. Larry's long law enforcement culminated in 1993 when he became 
sheriff.
  Those who have worked with, and for, Larry have described him as a 
loyal person with the finest ethical standards. His interpersonal and 
organizational skills made him a good manager, but Larry's stellar 
professional attributes were not his only strong points--they simply 
served as a vehicle for his creative and ambitious ideas which he 
implemented for the good of his community.
  Larry developed the Sheriff department's ``hostage negotiation team'' 
and was an active proponent of opening the Todd Road Jail, which boasts 
an innovative inmate management philosophy. He led the fight to 
continue the use of military surplus helicopters, saving millions of 
local tax dollars annually, and implemented a platoon response plan for 
tactical emergencies. In addition, he opened ``storefront'' operations 
to deliver sheriff's services into the neighborhoods. These are merely 
few of sheriff Carpenter's achievements which have made real 
differences in the lives of Ventura County's citizens.
  You cannot put a price on safety, or thank someone enough for putting 
their life on the line to protect others. We can never really repay the 
heroism and bravery which protects us each day, which often goes 
unnoticed. But we can say thank you: Thank you sheriff Larry Carpenter 
for your years of service protecting our families and for making our 
community a safer and better place to live. I ask my colleagues to join 
me in wishing my friend Larry a long and happy retirement.

                          ____________________