[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF ROGER LEE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY A. CONDIT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 1998

  Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of 
Roger Lee after 29 years of dedicated service with the Modesto Police 
Department in my district in California's great Central Valley.
  Roger Lee's career is noteworthy for many reasons. When he joined the 
Modesto Police Department in September, 1969, he became the first 
African-American police officer in the history of the police 
department.
  Since then, I am proud to report, he has served in the entire 
spectrum of police work--from undercover drug enforcement and police 
sting operations to community policing. As a police detective, Roger 
Lee has maintained an 80-85 percent closure ratio on his cases, far 
higher than the national average.
  In 1981, while assigned to an executive protection detail for a 
foreign dignitary, Detective Lee drew great credit and distinction upon 
himself and the Modesto Police Department when he arrested a would-be 
assassin. Not only was Detective Lee credited with saving the life of 
the dignitary, very likely he averted an international incident by his 
actions.
  Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honor and privilege to honor Detective 
Roger Lee and commend him for his service and dedication to the 
citizens of Modesto, California. His selfless acts and professionalism 
reflect great credit upon himself.
  I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives rise and join me 
in honoring Detective Roger Lee.

                          ____________________