[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 12, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING SHERIFF O'BRIEN'S 30 YEARS OF SERVICE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hooley) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize someone 
in my district, John O'Brien, who is the sheriff of Lincoln County. It 
is in honor of his 30 years of law enforcement in Lincoln County. I 
extend a sincere thank-you to Sheriff O'Brien on my own behalf and on 
behalf of all of the citizens of Lincoln County.
  Our laws are of little utility if no one makes sure they are 
followed. Seldom do we take the time to recognize the routine 
achievements that allow our Nation to function as it should. Many times 
it is only the pitfalls, the unfortunate breakdowns in our system, that 
draw attention to law enforcement. Such fickle evaluation of our law 
enforcement officers is manifestly unjust. The fact is that the grand 
majority of our days are without incident. The rule of law reigns. The 
people reject upheaval.
  These points demonstrate that the greatest victories of law 
enforcement are its contributions to regularity. We never recognize the 
people who give us plain, old, ordinary days. Perhaps we should.
  Accordingly, it is with great pride that I congratulate Sheriff John 
O'Brien. His bravery, dedication and service in building a safer and 
stronger community have provided the people with Lincoln County with 
thousands of wonderfully uneventful days.
  Sheriff O'Brien's career demonstrates a commitment to public service 
to which every officer of the law should aspire. John O'Brien began his 
career as a sheriff's deputy on February 6, 1973. The people of Lincoln 
County elected him to the office of Sheriff in 1994 and have 
subsequently seen fit to elect him to second and third terms. As all of 
us are aware, voters are properly cautious in selecting the people who 
represent them.
  An official's first election often indicates a willingness in the 
people to chance their own best interests on someone who has shown that 
he has the ability to succeed. That official's second election is very 
often a barometer of the official's contact with the electorate during 
his term of service. With his third election comes proof that he has 
served his constituents to their satisfaction.
  This is the satisfaction of Lincoln County reflected in its 
overwhelming choice of Sheriff O'Brien as the public face of law 
enforcement in their community. The confidence of Lincoln County's 
voting public in Sheriff O'Brien attests to the success of his efforts 
and his responsiveness to the people he serves.
  I would like to tell a little story about John O'Brien. Every time, 
at the coast, at Lincoln County, John is always at my meetings. And I 
keep asking him, ``John, you are always here.'' He says, ``I just want 
you to know that we are here, what our needs are, and I want you to 
understand about our community.''
  To this day, John O'Brien remains an active protector of Lincoln 
County's public safety. He has risen to meet the challenges of an 
increasingly difficult job. Changing times have altered the issues with 
which Sheriff O'Brien is faced, but he has shown the ability to adapt 
and battle new problems with modern solutions.
  Lincoln County has in recent years encountered an increase in the 
manufacture and sale of methamphetamines. Sheriff O'Brien has turned 
this growing problem into an opportunity to spearhead innovative new 
crime-reduction strategies. Through his work with the federally 
supported Lincoln Interagency Narcotics Team, Sheriff O'Brien has 
encouraged the sharing of resources and information between county 
agencies with an interest in reducing drug traffic. This work not only 
demonstrates Sheriff O'Brien's desire to get results, but also his 
complete disregard for who receives credit for those results. His 
willingness to work with other agencies in facing down a dangerous 
trend is evidence of a cooperative spirit and a will to succeed that we 
honor here today.
  Mr. Speaker, Sheriff O'Brien is worthy of recognition today for more 
than simply putting in his time. While 30 years of service in the 
public interest is a feat in itself, Sheriff O'Brien's true 
contribution has been in its effect on Lincoln County. Today we 
recognize that Lincoln County is a better place to live, to work and 
raise a family because of the devotion of Sheriff John O'Brien.
  I thank John for his 30 years of service given in the pursuit of 
safety, justice and peace.

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