[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 92 (Wednesday, July 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY SHERIFF PATRICK SULLIVAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 10, 2002

  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the work of Arapahoe 
County Sheriff Patrick Sullivan who has chosen to retire after 19 years 
of service to his community, and his country.
  For the past 40 years, since he was a Littleton police officer and 
dispatcher, he has shown an unwavering devotion to ``serve and 
protect.'' In 1979, he joined the Arapahoe County sheriff's office as a 
patrol division commander. In 1983 he was named as the undersheriff and 
six months later appointed to the position of Arapahoe County Sheriff 
after the death of his predecessor Ed Nelson who suffered a heart 
attack. Sheriff Sullivan went on to win four popular elections and 
although he is still eligible for one additional term under Colorado's 
term-limit laws, he has chosen to serve as the security director of 
Cherry Creek School District.
  During his tenure as sheriff, Arapahoe County has grown from a 
relatively sparsely populated area of rural Colorado to a thriving 
suburb consisting of more than 500,000 and he has done an excellent job 
of dealing with the problems that arise with such rapid growth.
  He has served admirably and with distinction since being appointed in 
June, 1983. Sheriff Sullivan was named Sheriff of the Year by the 
National Sheriff's Association, during the 2000 election cycle, he was 
the Law Enforcement Chairman for the Colorado George W. Bush for 
President Committee and a member of the Law Enforcement Coalition for 
the Republican National Committee Victory 2000. He received the Valor 
Award by the Kiwanis Club of Littleton and was named one of the 10 
``Outstanding Men of the Decade'' by the Littleton Times newspaper as 
well as ``Man of the Decade'' by the Littleton Sentinel Independent. He 
received the Anti-Defamation League's Civil Rights Award, and was 
instrumental in discussions concerning Homeland Defense from the 
perspective of local law enforcement.
  It has been an honor to work with Sheriff Sullivan, particularly when 
difficult and tragic events in my district required the cool-minded 
consideration of experienced members of the law enforcement community. 
Pat Sullivan represents the best our country has to offer and in his 
retirement, I look forward to his continued friendship.

                          ____________________