[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 10 (Friday, February 8, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNITION OF DEPUTY SHERIFF KEITH FLINK

 Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, on October 20th, a significant 
event took place that I am afraid was lost in the crush of events. 
Deputy Sheriff Keith Flink was recognized by the National Order of 
Benevolent Elks' Drug Awareness Program and the Drug Enforcement 
Administration with the first ever Enrique Camarena Award. His efforts 
to educate the young people of Iowa deserve to be highlighted.
  The Enrique Camarena Award honors law enforcement officials who 
perform above and beyond the call of duty in drug enforcement. Enrique 
Camarena was a DEA agent who was kidnaped, tortured, and murdered by 
drug traffickers while working undercover in March of 1985. Agent 
Camerena believed that one person could make a difference.
  The memory of his sacrifice made for his country has been 
memorialized through the celebration of National Red Ribbon Week, and 
now through the National Enrique Camarena Award that was established by 
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The award was established 
to recognize and honor an individual who has made a significant 
contribution in the field of drug prevention and who personifies Agent 
Camarena's belief that one person can make a difference.
  Last fall, Deputy Sheriff Keith D. Flink from Odebolt, IA, was the 
winner of the first Enrique Camarena Award. Deputy Sheriff Flink has 
spent over 30 years working in law enforcement, and working with young 
people to teach them the dangers of drugs and alcohol, mostly on his 
own time. I think the time and commitment that Deputy Sheriff Flink has 
given to his community is best reflected in a letter his children sent 
the Award Selection Committee. I would like to have printed the full 
text of the letter in the Record following this statement, and add my 
praise to theirs for the hard work their father has done in Sac County.
  It is important that each of us remembers that it is the activities 
of people like Deputy Sheriff Flink that really make a difference. The 
people of Odebolt, the citizens of Sac County, are aware of this. The 
Elks recognized the value of his contributions by giving him this 
award. And we, as a nation, should always remember that while the ``big 
things'' that was as a country stand for are important, it is the 
everyday activities that make a difference. We should never forget, 
never become too busy to recognize the accomplishments of everyday 
heros like Deputy Sheriff Keith Flink.
  The letter follows:

                                                  October 1, 1999.
     Enrique Camarina Award Selection Committee.
       Dear Selection Committee: My brothers and I heard our 
     father, Keith Flink, has been nominated for the Enrique 
     Camarina Award. After hearing this, we wanted his dedication 
     and achievements to be known. He has achieved many great 
     things in life by doing tasks above and beyond what is 
     expected. He is so concerned with the safety of all people 
     that he has no problem teaching about ``the war on drugs'' 
     while not on duty. There are so many times he will work the 
     night shift, sleep for 3 or 4 hours, and get up to give a 
     presentation on his own time. He does this with no complaints 
     because it is very important to him to get everyone to ``say 
     no to drugs''! He has also done a lot of research to give 
     great, effective presentations to the citizens in the area. 
     As you can see, he is very dedicated to his job on and off 
     duty!
       Our father has taught us a lot about life. While growing 
     up, we always saw him practicing what he truly believed. He 
     still does this through all the volunteering he does for the 
     safety of the community. He is a true leader by the work that 
     he does and the positive example that he sets for society.
       My brothers and I are very proud of our father and would be 
     honored if he was the recipient of the Enrique Camarina 
     Award. He definitely deserves it!
       Thank you for your time.
           Sincerely,
     Jeana Boyd,
     Justin Flink,
     Jory Flink.

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