[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 75 (Monday, May 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1066]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHAEL R. NELSON, CHIEF DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL FOR 
                     EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 24, 1999

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today in tribute to 
Michael R. Nelson, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District 
of California. As he celebrates his retirement, I ask all of my 
colleagues to join with me in saluting his outstanding public service 
career.
  Mr. Nelson has been the Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Eastern 
District of California for the past 10 years. He has overall 
responsibility for all operations and administrative programs within 
this major judicial district.
  With almost 30 years of experience within the Marshals Service, Mr. 
Nelson has brought a vast range of knowledge, experience, and 
management skills to his current position as chief deputy.
  His tenure in this position has been highlighted by his proactive 
approach to negotiating with local law enforcement agencies and jails. 
He has worked hard to eliminate most federal prisoner housing 
shortfalls within the Eastern District.
  Mr. Nelson has always been concerned first and foremost with the 
safety of his deputy U.S. Marshals. He has initiated several programs 
within the district to ensure that all personnel are properly trained 
and given the tools necessary to survive in a hostile confrontation or 
critical incident.
  He has worked hard to implement policies which provide for greater 
survival, firearms, and simulation training for the deputy U.S. 
Marshals in his district. Mr. Nelson also created an award winning 
Special Response Team in the district. This team, with all of its 
special training, has won numerous competitions against other local, 
state, and federal agencies.
  The district's Critical Response Team is another example of Chief 
Deputy Nelson's extraordinary management capabilities. This team works 
closely with the Marshals Human Resources Division and Employee 
Assistance Program to ensure that the needs of Marshals personnel are 
met following any critical incident.
  In 1989, Mr. Nelson received the Marshals Service Director's Award 
for Outstanding Manager based on his innovative approach and great 
management skills. He has always been highly regarded by the local law 
enforcement community, the federal judiciary, and fellow employees 
alike.
  I especially commend Mr. Nelson for his outstanding handling of the 
difficult logistics associated with the Unabomber Trial in Sacramento. 
U.S. Marshal Jerry Enomoto and Chief Deputy Nelson managed complex 
security arrangements with exceptional professionalism during this 
period.
  While the new Federal Courthouse was being constructed in Sacramento, 
Mr. Nelson took an active role in making sure that the special 
requirements of the Marshals Service were included throughout the 
building. His thorough knowledge of the relevant security needs and on-
site weekly inspections proved invaluable to the overall construction 
process.
  Since taking over as Chief Deputy in 1990, Mr. Nelson has proved to 
be an excellent manager and budget officer. HIs prudent approach to 
budgeting limited resources is especially noteworthy.
  Mr. Speaker, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Michael Nelson has been a 
great public servant in the Eastern District of California. I ask all 
of my colleagues to join with me in thanking him for his exceptional 
service and wishing him every success in all of his future endeavors.

                          ____________________