[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO MIKE O'NEILL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, to place your life in danger for the safety 
of your fellow citizens is an honorable and noble task, and our police 
officers do this on a regular basis. Commander Mike O'Neill of the 
Denver Police Department is one such hero, and after thirty-seven years 
of dedicated service, he recently announced his retirement. I would 
like to take this opportunity to thank him for the important role he 
has played in protecting the citizens of Colorado before this body of 
Congress and this nation.
   At the point in Mike's youth when it came time to commit to his 
future and decide his vocation, he decided to become a police officer. 
The choice was obvious for him considering his father had also served 
as a police officer. In 1967, Mike joined the Denver Police Department 
working in the city's second district. During his thirty-seven year 
career, he has worked in units covering drugs and gangs, shifts 
covering night and day, and he has held positions as district 
commander, division chief and head of the police academy.
   As he embarks on retirement, he finishes his career in patrolling 
the same district where he began. After over thirty years with the 
department, he can take pride in knowing he has carried on his family's 
proud legacy of commitment to serving others. In his retirement, he and 
his wife Suzy, another former police officer, can enjoy a more relaxing 
pace to their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, Commander Mike O'Neill has shown tremendous leadership 
and honor throughout his career with the Denver Police Department. Mike 
consistently exhibited selflessness to put the safety of the people he 
served first and foremost. It is my pleasure to recognize his career 
before this body of Congress and this nation. I thank him for his hard 
work and commitment to his fellow citizens and wish him all the best in 
his future endeavors.

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