[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 167 (Friday, December 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SALUTING THE CAREER OF CHIEF DAVID P. NEWSHAM SERVING BURBANK AND THE 
              SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES FOR NEARLY 3 DECADES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES E. ROGAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 22, 1999

  Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, today our country is stronger, more secure, 
and safer than it was just a few short years ago. Nowhere is this more 
true than in my own district. Today, the City of Burbank and the 
surrounding communities are among the safest areas in the country. The 
unique quality of life in my district is due in no small part to the 
efforts of one distinguished public servant. And today, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in saluting him as he celebrates his retirement--
Chief David P. Newsham.
  Chief Newsham has been committed to public service for nearly three 
decades. A native of Long Beach, California, he served in the Air Force 
for four years and graduated from the University of Redlands with a 
degree in Management. In 1970 he joined the ranks of the Burbank Police 
Department as a Reserve Officer. In 1972, he earned his badge as a 
sworn officer. He would go on to serve in all three divisions of the 
department--administration, investigation, and as a uniformed patrol 
officer--gaining invaluable experience that would serve him later as 
the department's Chief.
  In many cities the Police Chief is an appointed administrative role, 
but not in Burbank. Chief Newsham has distinguished himself throughout 
the community as a man who is dedicated to making our hometown a better 
place to live through his own deeds. He is a committed volunteer with 
the Boy Scouts of America, the Burbank YMCA, the Burbank Kiwanis Club, 
the American Red Cross and a host of other civic and law enforcement 
associations.
  What's more, he has made community service and accountability a 
hallmark of his administration. Chief Newsham was instrumental in 
establishing the Departmental Air Support Program--linking Burbank with 
nearby communities through a joint air patrol service. He implemented 
innovative agility and fitness programs for all Burbank officers, and 
played a key role in the development and completion of the city's new 
joint Police-Fire headquarters facility.
  And Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that I am not the only resident of 
Burbank to attest to his success as Chief of Police. As the Los Angeles 
Daily News recently reported, when David Newsham took over the reins as 
Chief, the city's Elmwood area was riddled with gang activity. Under 
his leadership, the city took immediate action and, with the help of 
the courts and community volunteers, cleaned up the Elmwood 
neighborhood. Today, in the Chief's own words, ``the problem down there 
is gone.''
  As with all men and women in uniform, the Chief's service extends 
beyond his daily work in uniform. He is a committed community activist 
and volunteer, proving that the true meaning of public service is to 
give back more than we received from our community. As he retires from 
the Burbank Police Department, Chief Newsham leaves the community a 
stronger, safer and more prosperous community than it was when he 
began. In recognition of his nearly three decades of service, and as 
thanks from a grateful resident of Burbank, I ask my colleagues to join 
me in saluting the service of Chief David P. Newsham.

                          ____________________