[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING LIEUTENANT JAMES P. LEARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2004

  Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant James P. 
Leary who is celebrating his retirement from the Abington Police 
Department after nearly 30 years of faithful and devoted service.
  Lt. Leary has served in many different capacities during his tenure 
on the Abington force, working as Watch Commander, Platoon Commander, 
K-9 Commander, and Auxiliary Service Commander. After joining the 
department in 1974, he quickly ascended the ranks, receiving a 
promotion to Sergeant in 1979 and then to Lieutenant in 1981.
  His dedication to the community has never faltered, even during his 
toughest assignment in 1996. In that year, Abington Township fell 
victim to a severe flood and Lt. Leary worked tirelessly with 
residents, community leaders, and municipal government agencies to help 
the area recover. Lt. Leary faced another difficult challenge when he 
and five patrol officers rescued two severely burned children from a 
burning building. Bringing those children to safety has been the 
proudest accomplishment of Leary's career.
  In addition to his service to the Abington community as a member of 
the Police Department, Lt. Leary served his country as a Sergeant in 
the 5th Special Forces Airborne in Vietnam. He and his wife Martha are 
the proud parents of four sons and two daughters. Lt. Leary actively 
participates in the community, where he enjoys spending time with 
family and friends, and has served for 15 years as the Defensive 
Coordinator and League Commissioner for the CYO Football Program.
  Our community has been privileged to have such a devoted servant and 
it is my pleasure to congratulate Lieutenant Leary on his retirement. I 
wish him all the best as he moves on to his new position as Chief of 
the Rockledge Borough Police Department.

                          ____________________