[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 39 (Monday, April 3, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  SALUTE TO THE 1999 LOS ANGELES POLICE RESERVE OFFICER OF THE YEAR, 
                SPECIALIST RESERVE OFFICER ERICA DeSMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 3, 2000

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, today I salute my constituent, a resident of 
North Hills, who truly embodies the spirit of national service.
  Erica DeSmith, who is assigned to the LAPD Devonshire Area, was 
selected as the Los Angeles Police Department's Reserve Officer of the 
Year for 1999 at the annual Reserve Award's Banquet on March 25th. As a 
Specialist Reserve Police Officer, Erica DeSmith volunteers her time to 
the Devonshire Area community-policing program four days a week, seven 
hours a day, and has amassed over 13,000 hours over the past 6 years.
  Officer DeSmith is the mainstay of the community-policing program who 
takes calls from community members who have problems ranging from 
graffiti to noisy neighbors to speeding on their streets. She handles 
the inquiries that do not need direct police response, thus saving 
countless valuable hours for police officers to focus on other duties 
and responsibilities.
  Officer DeSmith has established a solid reputation with the sworn 
officers, civilian employees of Devonshire Area, and the community; and 
is a person who can be relied on to get the job done. Her commitment to 
the self-excellence, her leadership qualities, and her ability to 
motivate her fellow officers and all add up to making her an 
outstanding public servant. Her tireless efforts and personal interest 
have contributed significantly toward ensuring the success of community 
based policing in the Devonshire Area.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the unbridled 
commitment and dedication of Los Angeles Police Specialist Reserve 
Officer Erica DeSmith. I also recognize thousands of her fellow 
officers, both sworn and reserve, who give so much of themselves to 
ensure the safety of our citizens and community, many times at the 
expense of their own families. Thank you for a job well done.

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