[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER JOHN H. BLANK, RETIRING AFTER 33 YEARS OF 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 1998

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay 
tribute to Communications Manager John H. Blank. On July 31, 1998, 
after 33 years of distinguished service, he will be retiring from the 
police force in Milpitas, California, in California's 13th 
Congressional District.
  Communications Manager Blank began his career serving the Milpitas 
community in October, 1965. He was sworn in as a police officer on 
October 1, 1965. He served in the patrol unit until January, 1970 at 
which time he was appointed as Supervisor of the Traffic Investigation 
Unit. in 1967, he confounded the Milpitas Police Officer's Association. 
His concern for the welfare and development of employees of the 
Department as well as his knowledge and skills in the field of 
organizational development provided a solid foundation for the 
Association which continues to serve as an important resource for law 
enforcement officers today.
  While serving in the Milpitas Police Department, John continued his 
education. He was awarded a B.S. degree from San Jose University in 
1973 after completing the requirements for a double major in Public 
Administration and Political Science. Concurrent to his service in the 
Milpitas Police Department, he also served in the California National 
Guard. He completed his service in 1971, after attaining the rank of 
Staff Sergeant.
  On July 1, 1973, John was promoted to Police Inspector with the 
responsibility of supervising the Records, Communications and Property 
functions of the Police Department. Under his supervision, the 
Department acquired its own dispatching capability and was able to 
upgrade its services substantially. In April of 1979, as a result of 
departmental restructuring, John became a Detective Sergeant. His 
responsibilities included investigating crimes against persons, 
property crimes, fraud and missing persons.
  In 1980, John embarked upon a significant career change--he left 
service as a sworn employee to become a communications dispatcher. In 
1985, he became an acting communications supervisor. In 1986, he became 
permanent supervisor, and, in 1992, he became Communications Manager. 
As Communications Manager, he managed the growth of this service by 
improving the size, staff training, and complexity of the 
Communications Center.
  He oversaw many improvements during his tenure as Manager, including 
the change from ``status tags'' to Computer Aided Dispatch, public 
safety tactical dispatching, and the development of a state of the art 
Communications Center.
  He was a co-founder of an organization called C.O.M.A.--the 
Communications Operations Managers Association of Santa Clara County. 
C.O.M.A.'s goals are interagency cooperation, support training, and the 
furtherance of the public safety communications profession.
  John has always been an active member of the community. He has lived 
in Milpitas for the last 15 years--in a home that he built himself. He 
has been a long time member of the Walnut Green Homeowners Association, 
he founded the Milpitas Tennis Association, has been very active in the 
Y.M.C.A., and has been a member and president of the Milpitas Kiwanis 
Club. He is also an active member of his church, serving as both a 
deacon and usher.
  John has received numerous awards and commendations throughout his 
career. He has amassed over forty letter of commendation from citizens, 
his supervisors, and from a wide variety of governmental agencies. In 
1987, he was recognized by the San Jose-Evergreen Community College 
District for his assistance in the development and presentation of the 
Basic Public Safety Dispatcher Development Academy.
  Mr. Speaker, Communications Manager John H. Blank will be honored at 
a celebration dinner on the occasion of his retirement on August 7, 
1998. I would like to thank John for his 33 years of dedicated service 
on behalf of the residents of Milpitas, CA. His professionalism and 
dedication will be sorely missed. I wish him luck in all of his future 
endeavors.

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