[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 103 (Monday, July 14, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO DEPUTY CHIEF MICHAEL J. SIKA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 14, 2003

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to an 
exceptional individual, Michael J. Sika, who was officially sworn in as 
Deputy Chief of Detectives for the Passaic County prosecutor's Office 
on Wednesday, July 2, 2003.
  For the past 22 years, Deputy Chief Sika has devoted himself to 
ensuring the safety of the people of New Jersey. It is only fitting 
that he be honored, in this, the permanent record of the greatest 
freely elected body on earth.
  Michael Sika began his career in law enforcement in 1981 as a New 
Jersey State S.P.C.A. Officer. In 1983, he was promoted to Sergeant and 
assigned to the Special Investigations in the Severe Cruelty to Animals 
Unit where he and his unit targeted pit bull fighting and cock fighting 
matches.
  It was only four short years later that Michael began working as a 
Passaic County Investigator in the Prosecutor's Office. In addition to 
his duties in the Juvenile Court Unit, the Court Squad / Extraditions 
Unit and the Environmental Prosecutor's Unit, Michael began to augment 
his previous training in Title 4--Statutes, Arrest, Search & Seizure 
and Firearms, by attending the Division of Criminal Justice Training 
Academy where he received the Academic Excellence Award.
  Mr. Speaker, perhaps most impressive is the work that Michael has 
done since his 1992 promotion to the position of Sergeant in charge of 
the Environmental Crimes Unit. During his eleven year tenure with the 
Environmental Crimes Unit, Michael worked with Federal, State, and 
Local authorities in the investigations of over 300 cases involving 
hazardous waste. He attended numerous courses in Explosives, Weapons of 
Mass Destruction, and Haz-Mat Techniques, and he has served as a 
Certified Instructor in Firearms and Environmental Crimes at the 
Passaic Police Academy since 1994.
  In September 2002, Michael Sika was promoted to the rank of Captain 
and assigned as the Commander of the newly formed Passaic County 
narcotics Task Force. Less than a year later, he was promoted to Acting 
Deputy Chief, and was subsequently reassigned to assist Chief Glenn 
Brown in the reorganization of the Investigators' Staff of the 
Prosecutor's Office.
  Mr. Speaker, the job of a United States congressman involves so much 
that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the 
accomplishments of such an outstanding individual. Deputy chief Michael 
Sika's long history of service to the people of Passaic County, and his 
commitment to educating those that choose to follow in his footsteps is 
beyond compare.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the Passaic County 
Prosecutor's Office and me in recognizing the invaluable service of 
Deputy Chief Michael J. Sika.

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