[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          A TRIBUTE TO SIGNAL HILL POLICE OFFICER LARRY MORRIS

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                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2000

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, today the City of Signal Hill pays tribute to 
senior police officer Larry Morris, an outstanding police officer who 
selflessly dedicated himself to protecting children from the dangers of 
gangs and drugs.
  The list of Larry's contributions to the community is a long and 
distinguished one. He was the father of Signal Hill's D.A.R.E. (Drug 
Abuse Resistance Education) and G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education, 
and Training) programs. Larry was a remarkable teacher of these 
programs in all the local elementary schools. Children were naturally 
drawn to his sincere, caring ways. When he walked through a school, the 
children would surround him, just to give him a hug. Larry deeply cared 
about these young people, and truly made a difference in so many of 
their lives.
  Among his many contributions to our community, Larry served in the 
Signal Hill Police Department from 1972 to 1998. He worked in patrol, 
investigations, K-9, and field training. For the last ten years of his 
career Larry dedicated himself to the youth of the community. He was an 
originating member of the Operation Jumpstart Mentoring program and the 
Signal Hill juvenile crime stoppers. He also created the Signal Hill 
Juvenile Diversion program, was an advisor to the Signal Hill Police 
Department Explorer Post, and a selector for the R.M. Pyles Boys Camp 
program.
  On October 10, 1999, Larry lost his battle with cancer. As a fitting 
tribute, on October 14, 2000, the City of Signal Hill and the Signal 
Hill Police Department dedicated the city's community youth center as 
the ``Larry Morris Community Youth Center.''
  Mr. Speaker, we struggle to express feelings of grief, sorrow and 
appreciation for this fine officer who gave so much to his community 
and was taken from us far too early in life. The youth center bearing 
Larry's name will allow his legacy to live on in the minds and hearts 
of our children, and our community, for many generations to come. I 
shall always remember Larry with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes. He 
cared and he served and saved many of the youth of Signal Hill.

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