[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 40 (Friday, March 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT FRANCIS R. BASON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 2004

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant 
Francis R. Bason for his 14 years of service with the Montgomery 
County, Pennsylvania District Attorney's Detective Bureau.
  Lieutenant Francis Bason has been employed by Montgomery County since 
July 9, 1990 as Supervisor of the Narcotics Enforcement Team. He has 
served a total of 42 years in law enforcement; 14 with Montgomery 
County and 28 years with the Pennsylvania State Police.
  In 1958, Francis Bason began his proud service in the United States 
Army Dental Corps before being honorably discharged in 1961. He 
returned to Pennsylvania and started his career in law enforcement as a 
traffic officer. In 1965, he became part of the State Police's Criminal 
Intelligence Unit, Youth Aid Division, headquartered in Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania. In 1971, Frank was promoted to Corporal and assigned to 
the Patrol Division that he ultimately supervised. That same year, he 
became the Pennsylvania State Police's, Drug Law Enforcement Division 
Regional Supervisor where he was the director of undercover operations 
for a six-county area in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
  During his years with the Pennsylvania State Police, Francis Bason 
continued his education and, in 1977, graduated magna cum laude from 
West Chester State University with a bachelor of science degree. Two 
years later, he received his master in science degree from West Chester 
as well.
  In 1990, Frank became a Narcotics Enforcement Detective for the 
Montgomery County District Attorney's office, in March of 1993, he was 
promoted to Detective-In-Charge of the Narcotics Enforcement Team. One 
year later, he was promoted to Lieutenant.
  Over the years, Lieutenant Francis Bason has been recognized by his 
peers, both locally and nationally, for his tremendous achievements in 
law enforcement. In 1982, he received the Award for Exceptional Service 
from the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration. In 1988, he was 
recognized as the Outstanding Police Officer of the Year by the 
Pennsylvania State Police and, one year later, received the 
Pennsylvania State Police Commendation Medal. His tremendous knowledge 
and experience was also recognized by the United States Congress in 
1980 when he was asked to testify before the Select Committee on 
Narcotics Abuse and Control on various drug-trafficking and law 
enforcement issues.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing 
Lieutenant Francis R. Bason for his many years of exemplary service to 
his community, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and our nation.

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