[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF SPECIAL AGENT DAVID E. NOVAK, HAZARDOUS DEVICES SECTION, 
    UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2006

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to pay 
tribute to one of our Capitol Police Officers, Detective David E. 
Novak, who will retire after more than 20 years of service. During his 
career, Dave's dedication, professionalism, and expertise have served 
the Congress well, and his important contributions will be missed.
  Special Agent Novak grew up in Nebraska, but in 1983 came to 
Washington, DC, and became a member of the United States Capitol 
Police. First assigned to the Capitol Division, he soon earned the rank 
of Detective and accepted a position with the Hazardous Devices 
Section, graduating from the FBI Bomb Data Center Hazardous Devices 
School in Huntsville, Alabama, on November 21, 1986.
  The Bomb Squad has excelled for more than 30 years at developing and 
adapting new tools and techniques for rendering safe procedures. Dave 
played an integral part in this success. The Capitol Police Bomb Squad 
is rated by the FBI Bomb Data Center and staff of the Hazardous Devices 
School at Redstone Arsenal as one of the top bomb squads in the Nation. 
The unit has achieved recognition throughout the bomb technician 
community through their assistance to other agencies and service in 
offices and positions in professional associations and organizations.
  Admired by his colleagues for his cool, steady demeanor and 
exceptional skills with tools and equipment, Dave served as one of the 
leaders of the Bomb Squad as its members coped with the emergencies of 
9/11 and the Anthrax letter attack. Mr. Speaker, the magnificent 
performance of the Bomb Squad in response to the opening of the anthrax 
letter on October 15, 2001, cannot be overstated. The continued 
dedication and commitment of the Hazardous Devices Section after that 
incident was impeccable. Dave helped sustain the morale and commitment 
of the bomb technicians after the contamination caused the closure of 
their offices, along with much of their equipment and vehicles. They 
coped with this loss even as they faced an exorbitant increase in 
response calls, and worked 12-hour shifts six days a week for nearly 
seven months.
  The Bomb Squad is a small but very important component of this police 
force we all take great pride in. As Dave prepared for his retirement, 
he went out of his way to serve as a mentor, and a colleague, to those 
who would follow in his place. While we wish him well in his 
retirement, his wit, practical jokes, technical expertise and the 
significant role he played will be greatly missed. I thank him for his 
many years of service, and for his dedication in implementing the 
mission of the United States Capitol Police, protecting the United 
States Congress.

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