[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 152 (Friday, November 22, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2121-E2122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING SPECIAL AGENT LOUIS PAUL RUSSO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 22, 2002

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
distinguished FBI agent from the Bureau's Detroit Division on the 
occasion of his retirement. On June 28, 1971 Louis Paul Russo entered 
on duty as a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On 
October 1, 1971 SA Russo reported to the Detroit Division. Director J. 
Edgar Hoover transferred SAA Russo from Detroit, to the Lansing 
Resident Agency beginning January 11, 1972. On December 21, 1972 SA 
Russo was transferred to the Cincinnati Division. SA Russo served in 
Cincinnati for over 16 years before he was reassigned to Detroit 
arriving on October 2, 1989.
  SA Russo successfully worked a broad spectrum of cases including, 
Bank Robberies, Civil Rights, Auto Theft, Labor Violations, Fugitives, 
Counter Intelligence, and Organized Crime. Agent Russo spent his entire 
career as what is commonly called a ``street agent.'' Street agents are 
the agents that solve the cases, make our neighborhoods safe, and 
protect these United States from our enemies; foreign and domestic, all 
at a great personal sacrifice to themselves and their families.
  I am aware from Agent Russo's co-workers that right up to his last 
days ``on the rolls'', Special Agent Russo came to work early, poured 
over his files, ``hit the streets'' and got the job done. After 
September 11, 2001 SA Russo, while attending to his other cases, 
enthusiastically reengineered himself to transition with the Bureau in 
their new focus on the investigation of Terrorism, all with more energy 
and sense of purpose than most agents 30 years younger than he.
  I have heard him affectionately referred to as a ``one man squad''. 
Agent Russo was always going above and beyond. I am aware of an 
instance where Agents on the organized crime squad in Detroit where 
assigned to fan out across the Motor City looking for evidence of 
construction equipment thefts that had allegedly occurred many years 
earlier; all to verify the credibility of a witness. They were only 
looking for evidence that such thefts had been reported; so many years 
had gone by, any leads were certain to be cold. The agents one by one 
returned at the end of the day with the various proofs that these 
pieces of equipment had in fact been reported stolen. Agent Russo also 
came back to the office with police reports to verify the long ago 
reported thefts and with a backhoe and other heavy equipment in tow, he 
had not only verified the thefts, he had recovered the stolen property. 
SA Russo has received letters of commendation from every Director that 
the Federal Bureau of Investigation has ever had. SA Russo consistently 
received top job performance reviews and he has garnered many letters 
of appreciation from Assistant United states Attorneys. Most 
importantly, SA Russo has earned and kept the respect of every agent he 
has ever served with. He has diligently protected the citizens of the 
great State of Michigan and the citizens of this great nation with 
enthusiasm, dedication and pride.

[[Page E2122]]

Special Agent Russo exemplifies the finest traditions of the FBI and of 
the Bureau's motto of ``Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity''. His efforts 
and his example have made the FBI the enduring and honorable 
institution that it is. He will be missed when he retires December 31, 
2002, having served for over 31 years as a Special Agent. From this 
former Special Agent, on behalf of the State of Michigan and this 
Nation; thank you, Louis Paul Russo.

                          ____________________