[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF THOMAS STEINER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2005

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise 
to honor the life of Thomas Steiner, a five year veteran of the 
California Highway Patrol (CHP). On April 21, 2004, he was the victim 
of a senseless hate crime committed in front of the Los Angeles County 
Municipal Court in the city of Pomona. As he was walking to his car 
following traffic court testimony, a 16-year-old ``wannabe'' gang 
member pulled his car in front of Mr. Steiner, stepped out and opened 
fire, killing the officer. The California State Senate will soon 
consider a bill that would rename the interchange of State Highways 60 
and 71--Thomas's favorite region to patrol--in his honor.
  Tom was born February 14, 1969, and spent his childhood in Virginia 
and Ohio, before his parents settled in Long Beach in 1984. He 
graduated from Millikan High School in Long Beach and then pursued 
several different majors at Cal Poly Pomona. When he heard that the CHP 
was looking for accounting majors, he chose to study accounting. Tom 
always had been both attentive to details and desirous of being in law 
enforcement. He was not a perfectionist. He was just particular. Even 
as a child playing pick-up baseball, he never allowed cheating. He also 
loved helping people. Tom knew that being a CHP officer was the right 
career for him.
  Tom's passion was fatherhood. He loved his stepson Justin, whom he 
called J.T., and his son Bryan, with whom he would walk home from 
preschool every Friday afternoon, holding hands. He converted his 
garage into a pool hall, with walls adorned with old Sports Illustrated 
covers, for both boys to enjoy. Also on the garage wall was Tom's 
collection of shot glasses from the different cities his father, Ron, 
had visited during his many business trips. It was a reminder that his 
father had valued his son Tom, and that now Tom valued his sons.
  Tom is survived by his wife Heidi who will now raise 5-year-old Bryan 
and 14-year-old Justin. He is also survived by his parents, Ron and 
Carol, and his sister Julie.
  Our country owes a great debt of gratitude to Tom. He died doing the 
job he loved, a victim of perhaps the ultimate hate crime: the 
assassination of a law enforcement officer solely based on the victim's 
status in the community, the uniform worn and what it represented. I 
met his father and with fellow CHP officers at the dedication of a 
memorial worthy of Tom's commitment to the safety of others. Join me in 
wishing our sincere sympathy to his family. We and the entire law 
enforcement community, especially the California Highway Patrol, mourn 
for a lost brother. I ask that all of my colleagues join me to honor 
this fallen hero who has made the ultimate sacrifice.

                          ____________________