[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SALUTE TO POLICE CHIEF JOSEPH SAMUELS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 1999

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor today to salute Police Chief 
Joseph Samuels, Jr., the first African-American Chief of Police in the 
City of Oakland.
  Police Chief Samuels joined the Oakland Police Department in 1974 
after working for a Finance Corporation as a Branch Manager. He rose 
through the ranks of the Police Department to the position of Captain 
where he spent three years in the Patrol Division. He later served in 
the investigative and support units of the Department.
  In October, 1991, he was appointed Chief of Police of the City of 
Fresno in California. He has continued his civic involvement and is a 
member of the Board of Directors of the Oakland Boys and Girls Club, 
the Oakland Jazz Alliance, the Alameda County Chapters of the American 
Cancer Society and the American Red Cross.
  During his tenure as Oakland's Chief of Police, part one felonies 
were reduced by 23.3%, homicides were reduced by 54.4% and violent 
crimes fell by 23.2%. Citizen complaints against Police Department 
personnel also decreased by 44% during Chief Samuels' tenure.
  Chief Samuels' other accomplishments include securing over $30 
million in state and federal grants to expand the Department's 
personnel and community outreach. Chief Samuels also established nine 
citizen community oriented boards.
  Chief Samuels' professional affiliations include membership in the 
International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Police Executive 
Research Forum, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement 
Executives, the California Peace Officers Association, the California 
Police Chiefs Association, and the Alameda County Chiefs of Police and 
Sheriff's Association.
  Chief Samuels has made a positive and profound impact on the lives of 
many individuals and organizations throughout the City of Oakland and I 
know that the community is more safe as a consequence of his 
leadership.
  I proudly join his many friends and colleagues in thanking and 
saluting him on his years of service to the community and his 
commitment to law enforcement.

                          ____________________