[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING STEVE BELCHER ON HIS RETIREMENT AS THE CHIEF OF POLICE FOR 
                             SANTA CRUZ, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 2003

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Steve Belcher, retiring 
Chief of Police for the city of Santa Cruz. Serving for more than 32 
years in the Santa Cruz Police Department, Chief Belcher will surely be 
missed by both his co-workers and the residents of Santa Cruz. His 
unyielding commitment to public service has, for the past three 
decades, won him the respect and admiration of the community as a 
whole.
  A graduate of Santa Cruz High School, Steve has lived in Santa Cruz 
for almost all of his life. In front of his proud wife, Sisi, and two 
daughters, Erin and Amy, Steve will retire on November 5, 2003. After 
32\1/2\ years of service, Steve, with his characteristic humility, will 
boast a lengthy list of accomplishments and achievements.
  Chief Belcher was sworn in as Police Patrol Officer on May 26, 1971, 
and has been a steadfast leader in the department ever since. His poise 
and leadership have enabled him to rise up the ranks of the Santa Cruz 
Police Department, culminating in his appointment to the position as 
Chief of Police on September 30, 1994. Holding the positions of 
Sergeant, Lieutenant and Deputy Chief of Police, Steve has excelled in 
every facet of his job. His entire career, from police patrol officer 
to his current position as Chief of Police, has been with the Santa 
Cruz Police Department. Over the years, Steve has achieved an extremely 
long list of accolades and accomplishments, many of which will leave an 
indelible footprint on the entire community. Chief Belcher has improved 
training, staffing and community policing policies, and has overseen a 
steady decline in the overall crime rate.
  Focusing on the problems facing the Beach Flats area of Santa Cruz, 
Chief Belcher has promoted a strong spirit of community development and 
civic participation. Steve has received an overwhelming amount of 
praise for this work, and humbly takes credit for helping the 
department create a Spanish Citizens Police Academy.
  I am proud to call Steve a friend. A colleague in the realm of public 
service, Steve possesses the qualities that personify good police work. 
I would like to wish him well in his retirement, and thank him for the 
outstanding--above and beyond the call of duty--service that he has 
provided our community for the past three decades.

                          ____________________