[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 24, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S3847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO PHYLLISS HENRY

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, Phylliss Henry has been a pioneer 
in my home State of Iowa, shattering glass ceilings, blazing a bold new 
trail for women in law enforcement, and reaching out to help others 
follow after her. Her tireless work to stamp out crime and to bring 
women to the table in law enforcement have made a lasting impact on our 
state.
  Back in 1972, Phylliss became the first woman ever to receive a law 
enforcement degree from Des Moines Area Community College. She was then 
hired as the first female patrol officer in the Des Moines Department, 
and she remained the only female patrol officer until 1977. She later 
became a Sergeant with the Special Crime Unit and with the 
Communication Section where she helped with minority recruitment and 
acted as a role model for other women in law enforcement.
  Phylliss then made the courageous decision to continue and expand her 
education, and she focused her energy on obtaining a Bachelor of 
General Studies degree in 1984, an MA in Communications Studies in 
1986, and a PhD in Communication Research in 1988, all from the 
University of Iowa.
  In December of 1990, she became the Support Services Manager of the 
Iowa State University Department of Public Safety. As in all her 
previous positions, she took the job to a new level, creating new crime 
prevention, security and assault awareness programs.
  In 1994, Phylliss' outstanding record led to her appointment as a 
United States Marshal, the first woman ever to hold this position in 
the state of Iowa, and for seven years, she served with distinction. 
She was instrumental in leading building renovations projects in Des 
Moines and Davenport and in helping to finish up the Court Annex 
Building. She also led the initiatives to bring Iowa Communication 
Network access to the district.
  And she was a one-woman army when it came to getting funding for 
critical projects in the district and to stretching every dollar to its 
limits. In a few years, she was able to automate the entire district 
with limited funding. And during a time when the district was being hit 
hard by increases in prisoner populations and decreases in bed space, 
she obtained a State of Iowa contract and greatly reduced the crisis 
need for federal prison beds.
  In addition, throughout her career, Phylliss has never been content 
to use her energy only in the workplace. She has contributed to 
organizations ranging from the Young Women's Resource Center, the 
International and Iowa Associations of Women Police, Children and 
Families of Iowa and many more. She even managed to find the time to 
co-found the Iowa Association of Women Police.
  She has been honored by groups ranging from the Greater Des Moines 
YWCA to the Des Moines Metro Women's Network to the International 
Association of Women police and more. And it is my pleasure to add 
myself to that list and offer my deepest gratitude for her long and 
distinguished record of service to our State.




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