[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER VONDA HIGGINS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 1999

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Houston Police Department 
Officer Vonda Higgins, who is being honored as the Honorary Chairlady 
of the Top Ladies of Distinction on April 10, 1999. Officer Higgins is 
certainly deserving of this honor.
  Mr. Speaker, police officers across the country show courage and 
bravery everyday. Vonda Higgins displayed this courage as an undercover 
narcotics officer protecting Houstonians from the evils of drugs. For 
five years she worked in this role to stop criminals from dealing drugs 
and ruining lives and neighborhoods. Vonda Higgins loved her work and 
was passionate about her work.
  On February 4, 1998, Officer Higgins was working to stop drug dealers 
from overrunning an area on Bellaire Boulevard where children played, 
Buddhists worshipped, and families lived. On that day, while trying to 
apprehend a criminal, Officer Higgins was shot by an assailant. The 
bullet entered her neck and paralyzed her. She is now in a wheelchair.
  Mr. Speaker, Vonda Higgins now faces a new challenge in life. She is 
facing that challenge with the same dignity, courage, passion, and 
integrity that she displayed while on the job. She is supported by 
loving parents and a new dog, ``Latin,'' named after a fellow police 
officer.
  Fortunately, the perpetrator of this despicable act of cowardice was 
charged and sentenced to 24 years in prison. The effects of Vonda 
Higgins and the efforts of the Houston Police Department have stopped 
the scourge of deadly drugs into the area on far west Bellaire 
Boulevard. Instead of criminals and needles, flags and balloons fly in 
front of the landscaped entrance of the Arbor Daily Ashford.
  Mr. Speaker, Vonda Higgins is an inspiration to all of us working to 
make this world a better and safer place for our children and our 
neighbors. We wish her Godspeed as she recovers from this terrible 
tragedy. We wish her the best and with hard work and determined 
prayers, we know she will overcome.

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