[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 29, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E98-E99]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO RALPH SOFFREDINE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 29, 2003

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to an 
individual, who in addition to a long and distinguished career in law 
enforcement and teaching, has dedicated many thousands of hours to 
community service in northern Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor 
Ralph Soffredine of Traverse City, Michigan.
  Ralph Soffredine has dedicated his life to education, law 
enforcement, community service and teaching. His perseverence and 
accomplishments have been an inspiration to every one who has met 
Ralph.
  Born in Detroit, Michigan on January 11, 1937, he graduated from 
Sandusky High School, in Sandusky, Michigan in 1959. Nearly thirty six 
years ago he married Pam on March 21, 1967 and the couple raised six 
children: Maureen, Pete, Patrick, Annie, Joseph, and Paula. Ralph and 
Pam also have nine grandchildren.
  After serving in the U.S. Air Force from September 1954 until 
receiving an honorable discharge as an Airman First Class in March 
1958, he continued his academic studies and earned a Bachelor of 
Science degree in science from Central Michigan University, in Mount 
Pleasant, Michigan, in June of 1966, While at Central he had a 
distinguished athletic career as a football player and was inducted 
into the school's athletic hall of fame in October 2001.
  A continuing quest for education led Ralph to earn a Masters of Arts 
degree in community administration from Eastern Michigan University, in 
Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1970. In addition to his academic work towards 
two degrees, Ralph is a 1985 graduate of the ``Police Staff and Command 
School'' at Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois and a 1991 
graduate of the FBI National Academy, in Quantico, Virginia.
  Ralph began his criminal justice career in 1966 as a police officer 
in the Flint Police Department. He then moved to the Grand Blanc 
Township Police Department, where he attained the rank of captain. The 
Ishpeming Police Department recognized his talents and named Ralph 
chief in June of 1976. He later served as chief of the Menominee Police 
Department. He then moved downstate and took the position of director 
of law enforcement with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department.
  Ralph left the Grand Traverse County Sheriffs Department to become 
chief of the Traverse City Police Department in 1981. Ten years later, 
Traverse City added the duties of fire chief to Ralph's 
responsibilities.
  According to Ralph one of his major accomplishments as police chief 
was bringing community policing to Traverse City. I had the pleasure of 
working with Ralph in introducing the U.S. Department of Justice's 
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to the Traverse 
City area.
  Having an advanced degree, Ralph has taught criminal justice courses 
at many institutions of higher learning in the United States and 
abroad. In May of 1998 he spent five weeks in the Ukraine, working 
under the auspices of the Ukraine Militia, as an adjunct professor 
teaching and facilitating law enforcement classes to visiting U.S. 
students from the Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice. 
Closer to home, Ralph has taught criminal justice courses at many 
colleges and universities including: Northern Michigan University; 
Northwestern Michigan College; Northwestern University; Michigan State 
University; and his alma maters, Central Michigan University and 
Eastern Michigan University.
  Showing his dedication to law enforcement beyond his administrative 
positions, Ralph has been involved in many related issues such as 
county jail program development, police school liaison programs, drug 
enforcement, crime prevention, police/fire training, internal 
investigation, chief contract negotiation, grievance and discipline, 
unification and consolidation of police departments, central dispatch, 
and records. Having a wide range of life experiences beyond law 
enforcement, Ralph has advised local officials on grants, personnel, 
management reorganization, community organization, and city, township 
and county budgeting.
  Ralph's community service goes beyond his law enforcement and 
teaching duties. He currently serves as chairman of the Grand Traverse 
County Family Independence Agency, the Camp Grayling Regional Training 
Facility, and The Pavilion's board. Showing his admirable community 
service, he serves on many other committees and boards including: the 
Police School Liaison Committee, Northflight Board of Directors, Munson 
Board of Directors, Women Resource Center Board of Directors, the 
Traverse City Planning Commission, and the Traverse City Area Public 
School Board of Education.
  He has served as president of Grand Traverse Families in Action and 
as a member of the Michigan Justice Training Commission.
  Mr. Speaker, Ralph Soffredine's wide ranging law enforcement, 
teaching and community service activities are admirable and amazing. 
Ralph and Pam Soffredine have been great assets to their chosen 
careers, their fellow workers, and their community. I am proud to call 
Ralph and Pam Soffredine, friends of mine.

[[Page E99]]

  Mr. Speaker, Ralph's last day as Chief of the Traverse City Police 
Department is January 24, 2003 and on January 25, 2003 there will be a 
retirement dinner and program for him at the Park Place Hotel in 
Traverse City, Michigan.
  Retirement will not slow Ralph at all. He will continue teaching 
criminal justice courses and training for power lifting competitions, 
an appropriate hobby for an individual who has shouldered so many 
duties throughout his life.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my House colleagues to join me in saluting 
Ralph Soffredine, a great person who has spent his life in service to 
others.

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