[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 125 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING ALAN J. SKOBIN

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 5, 2004

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a very 
special man, Alan J. Skobin, who has a record of community and civic 
service that spans more than thirty years. His tireless efforts have 
made a significant, positive impact on the community and he will be 
honored on October 9, 2004 with the coveted ``Twice A Citizen'' Award 
from the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation for his extraordinary 
volunteer work.
  Commissioner Skobin has served as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the 
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for more than twenty years, 
reaching the rank of Reserve Commander. His experience includes patrol 
and detective work as well as administration. He has also served on the 
Department's Valor Awards Evaluation Committee, and has received the 
coveted Distinguished Service Award from the Sheriff's Department for 
his overall service. Prior to joining the Sheriff's Department, he 
served as a Reserve Police Officer with the San Fernando Police 
Department for eight years, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He is also 
a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Citizens Academy.
  Commissioner Skobin has also been recognized by a number of private 
organizations, including the California Peace Officers Association and 
Baseballers Against Drugs, which honored him with their Positive Image 
Award.
  Alan J. Skobin was appointed to the Board of Police Commissioners by 
Mayor James K. Hahn in July of 2003, and was immediately elected Vice 
President. He previously served as Vice President of the Los Angeles 
City Board of Transportation Commissioners.
  Commissioner Skobin is also a member of the State of California New 
Motor Vehicle Board, where he has served as Board President, chair of 
the Policy and Procedures Committee and a member of the Administration 
Committee. He previously served as a Commissioner on the Los Angeles 
County Institutional Inspections Commission. He is a founding director 
and member of the Executive Committee of the Sheriff's Youth Foundation 
of Los Angeles County, which funds education and intervention programs 
for thousands of at-risk youth each year, and has served as chair of 
the Youth Foundation's annual Salute to Youth Dinner. Commissioner 
Skobin is also on the Board of Directors, and is Website and Technology 
Chair, of the Los Angeles Business Council. He is a past member of the 
International Board of Trustees of Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership 
(HOBY), an international leadership development program for high school 
students, the Western Region Advisory Committee to the United States 
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Office, the Los Angeles 
Junior Chamber of Commerce, which recognized his leadership and service 
as Chair of the Justice and Protective Agencies Committee, and the Mid-
Valley Community Police Council, where he served as President. A cancer 
and brain tumor survivor himself, Commissioner Skobin and his family 
are active with Padres Contra El Cancer, a nonprofit organization that 
improves the quality of life for children with cancer and their 
families.
  Commissioner Skobin is a member of the San Fernando Valley Bar 
Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the American Bar 
Association, the American Corporate Counsel Association, and is 
admitted to practice law in both state and Federal courts. Commissioner 
Skobin has also served as a member of the Judicial Election Evaluations 
Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and was an extern 
in the United States Federal District Court. Commissioner Skobin is 
Vice President and General Counsel of Galpin Motors, Inc., and has been 
in management with the Galpin organization since 1977. He has direct 
responsibility for, or is integrally involved with, a number of 
significant functions, including legal, information technology, risk 
management and insurance, real estate, investments and human resources.
  Commissioner Skobin and his wife, Romi, are longtime San Fernando 
Valley residents. They, along with their two children, Jeff and 
Jennifer, have made community and civic endeavors an integral part of 
their lifestyle.
  Because he exemplifies all that is right with our nation's grassroots 
volunteer efforts, I am pleased to have the opportunity to recognize 
Alan J. Skobin as a dedicated, compassionate and committed American.

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