[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING TONY CRAVER FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AS MENDOCINO 
                             COUNTY SHERIFF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2006

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tony 
Craver on the occasion of his retirement as Sheriff and for his 34 
years of outstanding service to the Mendocino County Sheriff's 
Department.
  Tony Craver's accomplishments range from developing outreach programs 
for needle exchange and related disease prevention to improving 
criminal justice policies in conjunction with local tribes, the 
Attorney General's Office of Native American Affairs and the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs.
  Sheriff Craver served on the California State Sheriff's Association's 
committee on Native American affairs. He worked closely with local 
tribal leaders to help establish tribal police programs and improve 
tribal criminal justice programs.
  Working with patients, care givers, the medical community, and other 
local authorities, Sheriff Craver established mutually agreeable 
guidelines and created a departmental statement of policy six years 
before the state legislature passed a bill on medical marijuana. He 
developed the first practical and reasonable method of accommodating 
medical marijuana consumers and providers with minimal police 
intervention by establishing a photo ID card system with verification 
capabilities in the State of California.
  Sheriff Craver served on the Evaluation and Advisory panel of the 
Disease Prevention Demonstration Project established by the State of 
California Department of Health Services Office on AIDS.
  In 2005, the California Rifle and Pistol Association named Sheriff 
Craver as Outstanding Peace Officer of the Year.
  In addition to his official duties, Tony Craver was a director of the 
Fort Bragg Kiwanis Club, and a member of the Mendocino Masonic Lodge, 
the Pomo Shrine Club, Fort Bragg Shrine Club, Ukiah Gun Club, and the 
Redwood Practical Shooters.
  Born in Sonoma County, Sheriff Craver served until his honorable 
discharge in both the United States Marine Corps and in the U.S. Army 
Reserves. He has an Associate of Arts degree in Administration of 
Justice from Mendocino Community College and a Lifetime Vocational 
Teaching Credential.
  Beloved and respected by the community and his fellow deputies, 
Sheriff Craver looks forward to retirement and spending more time with 
his wife Joanne, his four children and four grandchildren. He plans to 
enjoy the great outdoors and get back into fishing and competitive 
shooting.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, Tony Craver earned the admiration and 
respect of his peers and left a positive legacy from his years in the 
Mendocino County Sheriff's Department. For these reasons, it is 
appropriate that we honor his 34 years of commitment and service to law 
enforcement and public service.

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