[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 42 (Thursday, April 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF AL GUZMAN, RESPECTED POLICE CHIEF AND LEADER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2000

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment in order to 
express my gratitude and thanks to the Union City, California Chief of 
Police Al Guzman, who unfortunately will be retiring at the end of 
June.
  Al Guzman came to Union City so that he could fish along the 
shoreline. Later, as a college student, Guzman volunteered his time to 
ride along with the newly founded Union City Police Department. Soon 
after, he was invited to join the police force as a reserve officer.
  In March of 1968, Al Guzman was hired by the Union City Police 
Department as a full time officer and remained loyal to the force for 
33 years. Moreover, he served as the Department's Chief of Police for 
13 years. Chief Guzman is a leader in involving the community with 
police concerns so that conflicts and tensions within the city are 
solved more efficiently and quickly, ensuring a safe and healthy city.
  Coupled with Guzman's loyal service to the police force, he worked 
closely with school officials and parents to address the needs of 
students. This resulted in his creation of the School Resource Officers 
program in Union City and the New Haven Unified School District.
  Furthermore, through his leadership and vision, Union City initiated 
many innovative programs including the Head Start Child Care Center 
located in the Decoto Park Plaza. Additionally, another achievement of 
Chief Guzman's is the adoption of the graffiti abatement program and 
the creation of the Fred Castro Park. Chief Guzman also was a co-
founder of the Police Activities League in Union City which is 
responsible for providing sports for young people as well as sponsoring 
the Community Health and Science Fair.
  Despite all of Al Guzman's extraordinary accomplishments, he is also 
the first Police Chief in California to involve civilians in the 
creation of both a Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving 
program as well as the COPPS officers program. In addition to their 
creation, under Chief Guzman's leadership, two resource centers were 
established that housed the COPPS program with community based 
organizations that provide services for Union City residents. Guzman's 
COPPS program was recognized by Chiefs Magazine as the model program 
for California.
  Union City recently earned recognition by the National Civic League 
as an All-American City and also received the Helen Putnam Award for 
Excellence by the League of California Cities. And all of this was 
accomplished during the tenure of Chief Guzman.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this great 
community leader and visionary. Chief Al Guzman played an immense role 
in making Union City a safe and model city for others to follow and 
respect.

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