[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 36 (Thursday, March 6, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E385-E386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ON THE RETIREMENT OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY PHILLIP ROLLINS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2003

  Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. 
House of Representatives to pay tribute to Phillip A. Rollins, who 
stepped down from office this year after serving for 32 years as a 
District Attorney in Massachusetts.
  Since Phil is too modest to draw attention to his own 
accomplishments, I want to take this moment to share with you some 
highlights of his distinguished career in public service. Phil started 
in Cape Cod politics in the 1960s, serving in local government as a 
Selectman in the Town of Mashpee. He then ran and won a contested race 
against a longtime District Attorney, representing the Southern 
District of Massachusetts. From the start, Phil realized that the 
issues and problems facing the communities on Cape Cod and the Islands 
of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard were so unique

[[Page E386]]

as to require special focus. The solution was both innovative and 
practical. The Cape and Islands region needed its own District 
Attorney, and Phil Rollins had the skill to fulfill that vision.
  Over the years that followed, Phil Rollins racked up some impressive 
professional accomplishments. He was among the first in the 
Commonwealth to hire female prosecutors, he created a regional crime 
hotline and developed regional crime prevention strategies, and earned 
an outstanding reputation for innovation in child abuse and domestic 
violence. Respected and admired by his colleagues, he was twice 
selected to be the President of the Massachusetts District Attorneys 
Association.
  As he leaves office, he can look back with enormous pride on all that 
he has done to professionalize the work of prosecutors, and to improve 
the quality of life on Cape Cod and the Islands. Most of his crime 
initiatives are still in place, and he leaves a highly trained office 
with over 20 lawyers, and a budget of over $2.5 million. Those who have 
left his office are considered to be among the best and brightest 
lawyers in the state.
  So, I rise today as a former District Attorney myself, and as the 
Congressman of a very grateful Cape and Islands constituency to join 
with my colleagues in the US House of Representatives to recognize the 
important work of a fine public servant and longtime and very dear 
friend. Thank you, Phil.

                          ____________________