[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 150 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2256-E2257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING CHARLES RINKEVICH, DIRECTOR OF FLETC, GLYNCO, GA, RETIRED ON 
          MARCH 14, 1998 AFTER 34 YEARS OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, today Congress will pass a number of 
appropriations bills.
  While there are many important agencies funded by the legislation 
involved in these bills, one that all Members of Congress and people in 
south Georgia can take particular pride in is the Federal Law 
Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).
  This, of course, is that important agency which trains our heroic 
Capitol police force.
  I have the honor of representing FLETC, and had the pleasure of 
learning much about it through former director Charlie R. Rinkevich.
  Today it is a special treat to recognize Charlie, who retired last 
March after 34 years of public service.
  Thirty-four years of the kind of distinguished service that will be 
missed by the people he served, the people he worked with, and the 
people whose lives he touched in so many ways.
  Although the expression ``dedicated public servant'' is used all the 
time, there is simply no other way to describe Charlie Rinkevich.
  For 15 of those 34 years in government service, Charlie served as the 
director of FLETC, located in Glynn County, Georgia.
  I think all my colleagues would agree, even those who, like me, are 
proud champions of limited government--I think everyone would agree 
that Charlie's job is a critically important one, and one that benefits 
the public to a degree that few realize.
  In fact, law enforcement is one of the few things that all citizens 
expect and demand of their government.
  In fact, it is the ultimate bipartisan public service--all citizens 
have the right to equality before the law, equal justice, and the 
rights to due process accorded by our Constitution.
  Law enforcement is the bedrock of a civilized society; it is what 
distinguishes society which are governed by the rule of law and those 
which are governed by the whims and caprices of tyrannical leaders or 
petty bureaucrats.
  Some societies--in fact, most societies do not trust their law 
enforcement agencies, for corruption is a way of life.
  Americans expect more.
  Americans expect their police force, their court system, and the 
Federal law enforcement officers to be honest and to serve the public 
whose rights they are sworn to uphold.
  And for the most part, they can count on the people who make our 
system of justice work.
  But to make our system of justice work, you need to have people like 
Charlie Rinkevich make it work.
  Justice does not come from a piece of paper.
  If it did, the Soviet Union would have been a paragon of justice.
  Justice does not come from a sacred document, even one as wise and 
far-sighted as our Constitution.
  If it did, Communist China would be a worker's paradise where 
everyone's rights and freedoms were respected.
  No, justice comes from honest people who take part in a system they 
truly believe in, a system that, while never perfect, is the best one 
can hope for in an imperfect world.
  Justice comes from honest people who teach honesty to others, who 
lead by example, and who care deeply about a country they are so, so 
proud to live in.
  Justice comes from the work of honest people like Charlie Rinkevich.
  The list of Charlie's Rinkevich's accomplishments is long and 
impressive.
  But no professional achievement--no award, and no honor--can ever 
replace or compare with honesty and integrity.
  Without honesty and integrity, professional achievements are 
meaningless and ultimately, unfulfilling.
  Without honesty and integrity, no one's career, even one that lands 
you on the very top, is worth much.
  Without honesty and integrity, you will never be a role model to your 
kids, your family, and your community.
  Charlie Rinkevich IS a role model, not only for his life of 
professional achievements and accolades, but for his character as well.
  Character is developed by toil, sacrifice, and struggle.
  Hard-won, it is easily tarnished or destroyed. Charlie teaches the 
value of character in the law enforcement officials he trains.
  It is the kind of thing that is often taught by people who take pride 
in their work, especially

[[Page E2257]]

teachers, coaches, and members of the clergy.
  From his start as a police patrolman in Michigan 34 years ago to his 
tour as director of FLETC, Charlie took pride in his work urged others 
to view public service with this work ethic.
  The serious business of law enforcement thrives when people have this 
kind of attitude toward their job.
  It gradually sinks into incompetence and disinterested malaise when 
they don't.
  A positive attitude and a strong work ethic go hand in hand, and law 
enforcement officials everywhere immediately recognize what will happen 
to effectiveness when attitudes slip and the work ethic slides.
  That's why Treasury Secretary George Schultz appointed Charlie to his 
position as head of FLETC in 1983.
  FLETC is the largest law enforcement training organization in the 
United States.
  Formed in 1970, FLETC's mission is to provide the highest quality of 
training at the lowest possible cost.
  Seventy Federal law enforcement agencies in all levels of government 
now participate in consolidated training at FLETC, training which 
includes the international arena.
  Last year, over 23,000 students graduated from basic, specialized, 
and management level training programs.
  Quite simply, the quality of the training conducted at FLETC has a 
direct impact on the American people's attitude toward government.
  We live in a time during which the public trust has been eroded.
  Without a system of justice that is widely perceived as fair, honest, 
and free from corruption in the vast majority of cases, there can be no 
trust in government, and cynicism about our democratic system will 
undermine our faith in America.
  On behalf of the citizens of the 1st District of Georgia, I would 
like to thank you, Charles Rinkevich, for undertaking the burden that 
positions of public trust require.
  I commend you for the long years of loyal government service you have 
worked with such dedication and enthusiasm.
  I am very proud to have the opportunity to recognize your 
achievements this day.
  Thank you, and may others be inspired to follow your path in public 
service.

                          ____________________