[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ON OCCASION OF THE RETIREMENT OF DWIGHT (SPIKE) HELMICK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 2004

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of the 
retirement of Mr. D.O. `Spike' Helmick Commissioner of the California 
Highway Patrol (CHP). Mr. Helmick has served the state of California in 
the California Highway Patrol for 35 years. Mr. Helmick has served as 
commissioner for the last 9 years and was appointed as the State's 
first director of Homeland Security.
  Born in Texas in 1945 and raised in California, Commissioner Helmick 
graduated from Oroville High School. He is a graduate of the FBI's 
National Executive Institute and has completed graduate work in public 
administration through Golden Gate University. He holds a Bachelor of 
Arts degree in Administration of Justice from Golden Gate University 
and received Associate of Arts degrees in Police Science and Business 
Administration from Yuba and Glendale Colleges. Mr. Helmick, who left 
his job in a clothing store in his Northern California hometown of 
Oroville to join the California Highway Patrol, graduated from the 
training academy in 1969. His first assignments were patrol duty in 
Glendale and other parts of Los Angeles County.
  Commissioner Helmick has held every rank from Cadet to Deputy 
Commissioner. Prior to appointment as Commissioner in 1995, he served 
as Deputy Commissioner for six years. Before that he served as Chief of 
the CHP's Coastal Division, which encompasses ten area offices and two 
inspection facilities from Santa Cruz to Ventura. Prior to being 
appointed Chief of the Division he served as Assistant Chief of Coastal 
Division from December 1986 through February 1989. From 1975 through 
1986, Commissioner Helmick was assigned to the Office of Special 
Representative to the Legislature and commanded that office beginning 
in 1981. He also served in the South Los Angeles and Glendale Areas. On 
November 1, 1995, `Spike' Helmick was appointed Commissioner of the 
CHP, commanding 6,730 uniformed and 3,200 nonuniformed personnel, 
located in 8 field divisions, 99 area commands, 16 commercial vehicle 
inspection facilities, 6 communications centers, and headquarters staff 
and executive offices. Mr. Helmick's duties ranged from heading up the 
state's homeland security programs in the aftermath of September 11, 
2001, to assisting in riot control and aiding local departments in the 
fight against street gangs.
  As Commissioner, Mr. Helmick initiated the concept of High 
Performance Policing within the CHP. Under his guidance, each CHP 
commander assesses the needs and expectations of the community served 
by their command. Delivery of service is tailored to satisfy both 
community and statewide needs.

  Commissioner Helmick has continually emphasized the importance that 
the CHP workforce be representative of the state's diverse population 
so that the best services will be provided to all Californians. To this 
end, recruitment, hiring and promotion of women and ethnic minorities 
have been established as departmental priorities.
  Support for Commissioner Helmick is widely based throughout 
California. His genuine concern for the needs of our state's citizens 
is evidenced by such diverse Department programs as Spanish language 
instruction of CHP employees, inclusion of cultural awareness training 
modules in recurrent training, and direction of Department resources to 
address specific crime and public safety issues.
  There is no doubt that D.O. `Spike' Helmick has been an outstanding 
public servant for the people of California. His distinguished career 
record speaks for itself. It has been my honor to work with 
Commissioner Helmick as both a State Senator and now as a Congressman. 
He is my friend and a friend to everyone in the California Highway 
Patrol. For these reasons I move that we recognize and honor D.O. 
`Spike' Helmick for his outstanding achievements and service to the 
people of the State of California.

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