[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE PASSING OF CHIEF OF POLICE JAMES M. POWELL, THE FIRST 
               CHIEF OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT W. NEY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the passing of Chief 
James M. Powell, the first Chief of our United States Capitol Police 
following the separation from the DC Metropolitan Police Department. 
Chief Powell had a long distinguished career in law enforcement that 
lasted over four decades and culminated in his work transforming the 
Capitol Police force into a first-rate Federal law enforcement agency.
  He was born on a farm in Chapel Hill, Tennessee on May 13, 1914. Like 
so many others during the Great Depression, he came to Washington in 
1934 to look for work. While working at various jobs in DC he met and 
married his wife Dorothy E. Forsht on June 4, 1938.
  Finally settling on a career, he joined the DC Metropolitan Police 
Department in 1940. He spent six years in the 5th Precinct where he 
started as a patrolman. He was promoted to Precinct Detective in 1944 
and then to Detective Sergeant in 1946, when he was assigned to the 
Robbery Squad.
  In 1953, Mr. Powell was promoted to Detective Lieutenant and named 
the Third District Detective Supervisor. Five years and several 
commendations later, he was promoted to Captain and began his work in 
the U.S. Capitol as supervisor of the Senate Plainclothes Detail. In 
1965, he became an inspector and designated chief of the U.S. Capitol 
Police under the direction of the DC police department.
  On December 20, 1979, the Congress enacted Public Law 96-152. This 
act created the position of Chief of the Capitol Police appointed by 
the Capitol Police Board. This law established the Capitol Police as 
its own independent legislative branch agency in charge of the safety 
and security of the Capitol complex. Mr. Powell was appointed to be the 
first Chief of the reorganized U.S. Capitol Police.
  Chief Powell not only served with distinction by protecting the 
legislative branch, but he managed to earn recognition for his 
protection of the executive branch as well. While on Metropolitan 
police detail protecting President Harry S. Truman, he apprehended one 
of the Puerto Rican nationalists during the attempted assassination in 
1950.
  Mr. Powell retired from the U.S. Capitol Police on September 30, 
1984. I am sure I speak on behalf of all the Members of the House of 
Representatives in expressing our gratitude for his dedicated service. 
Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to his wife, Dorothy; his 
three sons, Jim, John, and Joe; his sister; three grandchildren; and 
three great-grandchildren.

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