[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING RICK HOYT UPON RETIREMENT FROM FAYETTEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

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                           HON. JOHN BOOZMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Fayetteville's Chief of 
Police Rick Hoyt, who will be retiring from the department at the end 
of the month.
  A graduate of the Fayetteville school system and the University of 
Arkansas, Rick joined his hometown police force in 1976. His second day 
on the job was almost his last as a drunk driver hit him while he was 
directing traffic. He was thrown 69 feet by the impact and spent 
several weeks in a full body cast in the hospital. Initially, nobody 
was sure whether or not he would survive. Rick surprised everyone when 
he was back on the beat in less than 3 months, a testament to his 
strong spirit and desire to serve the public.
  His dedication to protecting and serving the people of Fayetteville 
led to a series of promotions within the department. In 2002, he was 
named Interim Police Chief while the city of Fayetteville conducted a 
nationwide search to find a permanent chief. Within a matter of months, 
that search was called off and Rick was given the job. As Mayor Dan 
Coody put it at the time, ``We are so satisfied with Chief Hoyt that I 
don't think we could have done any better.''
  For the next 2 years, Rick did a tremendous job leading the 
Fayetteville Police Department. My constituents and I are extremely 
grateful for service over the 28 years that he worked for the 
Fayetteville Police Department. I ask my colleagues to join with me 
today in thanking Rick for his service and wishing him all the best as 
he enters into a new phase in his life.

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