[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 65 (Thursday, May 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE OPTIMIST CLUB OF SAINT MARIES HONORS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 1999

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate with the Saint 
Maries Optimist Club as they recognize the lives and labors of our 
local law enforcement community.
  Mr. Speaker, It has been said: ``Encouragers need to be encouraged!'' 
I can think of no greater group today to applaud than our men and women 
who wear blue everyday to protect our communities and promote peace on 
a daily basis.
  In July 1965, former Optimist International President, Carl Howen, 
recognizing the need to bridge the gap between police officers and the 
community, initiated the ``Respect For Law'' program and tonight, the 
Saint Maries Optimist Club continues to honor those who serve us in law 
enforcement.
  Mr. Speaker, as you well know, it has been reported that every 40 
seconds a child is reported missing. According to a study by the U.S. 
Justice Department, 359,000 are kidnapped every year. These statistics 
are staggering and although numbers can be misleading we must no longer 
tolerate adults abducting or abandoning our adolescents! This is just 
one of the countless stressors that our law enforcement officers and 
officials have to deal with on a daily basis. The ``Respect For Law'' 
educates parents and communities of the pitfalls that plague our 
society (i.e. drugs, theft, arson, violence, battery, rape and murder).
  On a positive note, crime in St. Mary's County has decreased 15% 
since 1998, and much of the credit can be attributed to Lt. Doug Slacum 
of the Maryland State Police (Leonardtown barracks) and St. Mary's 
County Sheriff, Richard Voorhaar. I would like to recognize Mr. Tom 
Slaughter, ``Respect for Law'' chairman and Rich Fry, President of St. 
Maries Optimist Club and their colleagues whom annually applaud the 
service and sacrifice of St. Mary's finest! My friend, Ms. Mary 
Whetstine of Mechanicsville has played a pivotal role as the Lt. 
Governor for zone 5 and I am pleased by the efforts of our law 
enforcement team of the Sheriff's Department, State Police and our 
prosecutors. For the record, the six law enforcement agencies 
represented this evening are the Maryland State Police, Department of 
Natural Resources, Sheriff's Department, Department of Corrections, NAS 
Police Department and St. Mary's College Department of Public Safety.
  At this moment, I would like to mention and pay tribute to Deputy 
Keith Fretwell of the St. Mary's Sheriff's Department who recently 
passed away in his prime of a brain tumor. I attended Deputy Fretwell's 
funeral and his commitment to St. Mary's County will be the benchmark 
for all recruits to follow in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and the remainder of my colleagues to reflect 
with admiration and appreciation of those who serve and have served in 
the respective districts of which we are so fortunate to represent in 
Congress.

                          ____________________