[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E53]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF TOM RICE TO OUR HOMELAND SECURITY

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                           HON. DEBORAH PRYCE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 9, 2007

  Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
distinguished constituent and a valued member of our country's Homeland 
Security team, Tom Rice, the federal security director for Port 
Columbus International Airport. Tom was recently chosen from among 125 
peers by the Transportation Security Administration as the Federal 
Security Director of the Year for the Eastern Region.
  In bestowing this honor, TSA recognized Tom's contributions in 
providing operational direction for federal security, demonstrating 
integrity and innovation, and improving the morale of employees by 
promoting a culture of achievement among team members.
  Tom's four decades of distinguished and impeccable service in law 
enforcement is no secret to central Ohio. After serving for 33 years in 
the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Tom spent a year at the Department of 
Rehabilitation and Correction as the acting chief inspector and then 
had a 5-year tour with the City of Columbus as safety director. Before 
briefly retiring, Tom also consulted for the Ohio Department of Youth 
Services. However, with the creation of TSA, Tom was swiftly called to 
return to duty and was sworn in as the first FSD for Port Columbus and 
Rickenbacker airports in June 2002.
  I am thrilled to see his leadership in security recognized nationally 
by our Nation's top security agency. Passengers at Port Columbus know 
and trust Tom. And even amid passenger uncertainty due to terrorist 
threats, his innovative and professional leadership has helped Port 
Columbus continue to grow and business at Rickenbacker to flourish. I 
can think of no better person to receive the recognition of our 
Homeland Security community.

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