[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING MICHAEL R. BLAKEY, LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2005

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Mike Blakey, Lake County Victim Witness Administrator, who is being 
honored on the occasion of his retirement. He has been an exceptional 
public servant throughout his long and prestigious career.
  Since November 1984, when Mike Blakey started the Victim-Witness 
Division, he has planned and organized the activities of that division 
to improve the safety of Lake County residents. Mike was instrumental 
in preparing the original grant application for the Victim-Witness 
Program and over the years he has actively expanded and enhanced 
assistance programs for victims of crime. Due to his efforts, Lake 
County has enjoyed one of the top programs in the State of California.
  Over the years, Mike has received numerous letters of recognition 
from local and state agencies acknowledging his accomplishments in 
protecting and enhancing the rights of victims of crime. In early 2000, 
Mike and his office were formally commended by a federal auditor as the 
Best Rural Counties Program in the Nation for compliance with the 
Violence Against Women Act.
  For the past 20 years, Mike has been a leader in California's 
victim's rights and advocacy movement. He provided leadership for 
California as President of the California Victim-Witness Coordination 
Council, as Chairman of California's Victim-Witness Rural Coalition, as 
President of Lake County's Service Coordinating Council, as Chairman of 
the Lake County Crime Victims for Court Reform Committee, and as 
Treasurer of Lake County's AWARE program. In addition, he worked with 
the National Organization for Victim Assistance, Governor's Training 
Conference on Crime Victims, and AGAPE Shelter for Battered Women and 
Children.
  Mike's personal dedication, vision, leadership abilities, and 
commitment have given victims of crime the resources and protection 
they need.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Mike 
Blakey for his commitment and dedication to his profession and for his 
service to the people of California.

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