[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 150 (Monday, November 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATIONS TO WILLIAM E. BREEN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT 
               AFTER 40 YEARS OF FAITHFUL PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2005

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to William E. 
Breen on the occasion of his retirement after 40 years of faithful 
public service to this great nation.
  Mr. Breen began his public career as a police officer with the U.S. 
Park Police during the tumultuous 1960s when Washington, D.C. was the 
epicenter of protest and demonstration. His skills both as a police 
officer and as an instructor were quickly recognized, and in 1970, he 
transferred to the U.S. Secret Service.
  Over the course of 15 years as a special agent for the Secret 
Service, William Breen helped protect Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald 
Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. He also played an integral role 
during the papal visit of John Paul II to the United States.
  Of particular significance, Special Agent Breen was awarded the U.S. 
Secret Service Valor Award for extreme courage during an assassination 
attempt on the life of Presidential candidate and Alabama Governor 
George C. Wallace, in Laurel, Maryland, on May 15, 1972. After giving a 
speech at an open-air rally, Governor Wallace stepped down from the 
podium to shake hands with the cheering crowd when shots were fired. 
Special Agent Breen responded immediately providing assistance to the 
wounded candidate. He covered and removed Mrs. Wallace from her 
husband's side in order to prevent her from being attacked. After 
ensuring Mrs. Wallace's safety, Special Agent Breen returned to 
administer first aid to the governor. For exemplifying the highest 
standards of bravery, the United States Secret Service presented 
Special Agent Breen the United States Secret Service Valor Award.
  More recently, Mr. Breen served with distinction in the Office of the 
Inspector General of the U.S. Small Business Administration. In this 
capacity, he used his extensive investigative and law enforcement 
skills to develop and execute programs designed to maintain the 
integrity and the credibility of Small Business Administration 
programs. Mr. Breen proved relentless in identifying and eliminating 
fraud throughout Small Business Administration assistance programs. 
Perhaps more significant, Mr. Breen's leadership, mentoring, and 
expertise in training, leaves a legacy that will live on in the agency 
long after his retirement.
  Mr. Speaker, the faithful service of outstanding Americans like Mr. 
Breen has aided in a measurable way to the well being of this great 
country. He has made an impact. I am proud to have called Bill Breen my 
friend for many years, and I am particularly proud he has selected the 
First District of Alabama as his retirement home.

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