[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING SUPERVISORY SPECIAL AGENT JOSEPH F. FINNIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 2003

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
distinguished FBI Special Agent from the Bureau's Detroit Division on 
the occasion of his retirement. On February 5, 1970, Joseph F. Finnigan 
entered on duty as a clerk for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On 
March 15, 1971, in response to a call from Director J. Edgar Hoover for 
an additional 1000 agents, Joe was sworn in, sent to new agents 
training class, and began what proved to be an exemplary career as a 
Special Agent.
  From June, 1971 until August of 1972, Special Agent Finnigan was 
assigned to the Chicago Field Office and investigated a variety of 
criminal matters. It was during this period that Joe first began 
investigating organized crime, a pursuit that would become his 
specialty and career highlight in later years. In August of 1972, 
Director Hoover transferred Joe to the Detroit Field Office where he 
served for over 31 years.
  In 1986, Joe joined the management ranks when he was promoted to 
Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) and placed in charge of the Great Lakes 
Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force and in 1988 he became 
the supervisor of the Organized Crime squad, the post from which he 
made what are perhaps his most significant contributions, the post from 
which he retires on September 30, 2003.
  During his tenure as the SSA of Detroit's legendary C-8 squad, Joe 
supervised the organized crime investigation code named ``GAMTAX''. His 
supervision and direction of this long and arduous investigation 
resulted in some of the most significant organized crime convictions 
and forfeitures in the history of the FBI. This investigation focused 
on the Detroit Family of La Cosa Nostra, an extremely active criminal 
enterprise for at least 30 years with criminal roots going back to the 
Prohibition era. The information developed during the course of this 
massive investigation allowed agents to prevent several murders and 
assaults. Supervisory Special Agent Finnigan met face to face with LAN 
Boss Jack Tocco and told him that he would be held personally 
responsible for any harm caused by him or his mob associates.
  In 1996, a Michigan Federal Grand Jury charged the entire hierarchy 
of the Detroit LAN with 25 counts of racketeering. ``Capo'' Vito 
Giacalone became the first member to publicly acknowledge his LAN 
membership and the existence of the Detroit LAN when he pled guilty to 
the charges. ``Capo'' Anthony Giacalone, one of two people Jimmy Hoffa 
was supposedly waiting to meet when he mysteriously disappeared was 
also indicted, but died of kidney disease before being brought to 
trial. LAN Boss Jack Tocco, whose only previous conviction was for 
attending an illegal cockfight, was convicted of racketeering and 
extortion and sent to prison.
  SSA Joe Finnigan has received letters of commendation from every FBI 
Director, consistently received top job performance reviews, and has 
garnered many letters of appreciation from the United States Attorney's 
Office and the United States Department of Justice. He has earned and 
kept the respect of his law enforcement colleagues and has diligently 
protected the citizens of the great State of Michigan and the citizens 
of this great Nation with enthusiasm, dedication and pride.

  Supervisory Special Agent Joseph M. Finnigan has exemplified the very 
finest traditions of the FBI by adhering to the traits that make up the 
Bureau's motto: ``Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity.'' Mr. Speaker, I 
ask that my Colleagues join me in recognizing Joe for his service to 
our country and offering our best wishes on the occasion of his 
retirement.

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