[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 154 (Friday, November 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT DENNIS KOZIKOWSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2005

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding member of the Menominee County Sheriff's Department, 
Sergeant Dennis Kozikowski. This year, Sgt. Kozikowski retired as the 
Road Patrol Sergeant for the Menominee County Sheriff's Department. 
During his retirement, he plans to continue another passion of his--
working to promote veteran rights. Sgt. Kozikowski's 30 years as a law 
enforcement officer and his leadership for veteran causes stands as a 
shining example to us all.
  Born to John and Lillian Kozikowski in Menominee, Michigan, Sgt. 
Kozikowski graduated from Menominee High School in 1965. He immediately 
joined the Army and requested to serve in the Vietnam War. After 
completing his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, Sgt. 
Kozikowski spent time serving at posts in Alabama and California before 
receiving his orders to serve in Vietnam.
  Sgt. Kozikowski's 15-month tour in Vietnam impacted him in a way that 
changed his life. Sgt. Kozikowski earned the Army Commendation Medal, 
two Air Medals with ``V'' Devices for Valor Under Fire, Air Medals with 
19 Oak Leaf Clusters because of 2000 aerial combat hours, Medal of Good 
Conduct, and medals awarded by the Republic of Vietnam including the 
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with a Bronze Star, the Vietnam National 
Defense Ribbon and Vietnam Campaign Medal. Even as a decorated soldier, 
Sgt. Kozikowski recalls struggling to adjust upon his return. Although 
this transition served as a challenging time in his life, he credits 
this ability to eventually adjust back to civilian life as an 
experience that enabled him reach out to other veterans.
  Sgt. Kozikowski found his calling in 1975 under the direction of 
colleague and mentor Sheriff Dean R. Burns. Sheriff Burns urged Dennis 
Kozikowski to consider law enforcement as a career based on his expert 
military training and courage under fire. Sgt. Kozikowski joined the 
Menominee County Sheriffs Department where he would spend the next 30 
years in skilled positions such as the Marine Patrol, a Department 
Diver, Snow Patrol, and with Marine Safety. Sgt. Kozikowski received 
many letters of commendation for critical incidents he handled while a 
member of the Sheriffs Department.
  When asked to talk about his brave deeds during his service with the 
Sheriffs Department, Sgt. Kozikowski humbly recalls a story of a 
Vietnam Veteran who had become frustrated with his inability to adjust 
to civilian life. The man went into a local bar and began shooting. 
Although the patrons inside were not injured, emergency response units 
concluded that force would be necessary to remove the armed man. Sgt. 
Kozikowski bravely entered the building, disarmed the man and took him 
into custody peacefully.
  Sgt. Kozikowski said that he was successful in communicating with the 
frustrated veteran because he could relate to him. Sgt. Kozikowski not 
only used that common factor to help talk him out of the threatening 
incident, but after the fact he helped the veteran file a disability 
claim to receive veterans benefits. Noting the challenges veterans face 
upon return from Vietnam, Sgt. Kozikowski understood that he had a 
knack for reaching out to veterans to help them understand that 
resources were available to assist their needs. From that one incident, 
Sgt. Kozikowski began a decade of advocacy on behalf of veterans on a 
variety of issues. As a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 
Post 1887 and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) 
Chapter 25 serving as the Legislative Chair, Sgt. Kozikowski works to 
promote veteran rights for better benefits.
  This year, Sgt. Kozikowski was forced to retire early due to a spinal 
injury that has made his challenging work in law enforcement nearly 
impossible. A testament to his dedication to public service, he will 
tell you that this day came far too soon as he is sure he could serve 
for another 30 years easily. However, Sgt. Kozikowski looks forward to 
spending additional time with his two sons, John and Joe, who have 
followed valiantly in their father's footsteps; John as a member of the 
82nd Airborne during Desert Storm; and Joe as a Carney-Nadeau Volunteer 
Fire Department and a member of the Menominee County Rescue Squad. Sgt. 
Kozikowski also looks forward to spending time with his two 
granddaughters, Kaitlin and Hanna, as well as a new grandchild on the 
way!
  Although Sgt. Kozikowski's career with the Menominee County Sheriffs 
Department has ended, he will continue to serve the public as a true 
advocate for veteran rights. In fact, he is currently lobbying Congress 
to support legislation to provide mandatory funding for veterans health 
care. He has also been encouraging the members of veterans' 
organizations to write letters to Congress urging their support.
  On a personal note, Mr. Speaker, as a former Michigan State Police 
Trooper myself, I have had the pleasure of knowing Sgt. Kozikowski over 
the years. As a resident of Menominee County, I have always trusted his 
dedicated service to the people of our community. I am also comforted 
to know that such a powerful advocate is working to strengthen 
veteran's legislation for our men and women of past and present wars.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
thanking Sergeant Dennis Kozikowski for his 30 years of service to the 
people of the State of Michigan and in wishing him well in his 
retirement endeavors. His commitment to community and to justice has 
been a model of public service. Dennis will be missed by the members of 
the Menominee County Sheriff's Department and the people he so 
competently and bravely served.

                          ____________________