[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 69 (Monday, April 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E887-E888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF DEBRA E. FERRONI AND 
                              ROBERT CRISS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 30, 2007

  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend two 
outstanding public servants who have dedicated themselves to the people 
of the State of New Jersey through their work with the New Jersey State 
Law Enforcement Officers Association.
  Debbie Ferroni has been working with the Association since 1989 as 
its Executive Administrator. Jerry Leavy, the Association's President, 
says that he's not embarrassed to

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say that though he is the President, it's Debbie that does all the 
work. In 1994, Debbie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Several 
times during her battle with this debilitating disease, Debbie has had 
to be hospitalized or homebound. Each time, she has demanded her work 
be brought to her home and she always showed more concern for the men 
and women the Association serves than for her own health.
  Robert Criss has been a part of the Association since 1991. He 
retired as a Captain from the Highland Park Police Department in 1999. 
His first-hand knowledge of the needs of the law enforcement officers 
the Association serves has made him an invaluable volunteer. And, by 
all accounts, Bob Criss volunteers ``excessive amounts of time'' to 
this work, perhaps most importantly as the Chair of the Youth and Child 
Identification program.
  The New Jersey State Law Enforcement Officers Association will be 
seventy years old next year. Its members serve the people of New Jersey 
as Federal, State, county, and municipal law enforcement officers, 
special police, and auxiliaries. It is the outstanding commitment of 
people like Debbie Ferroni and Bob Criss that allows the Association to 
serve these brave officers so well.
  As it does each year, this past weekend, the Association honored 
several of its members for their valor and bravery in the line of duty. 
I join the Association in the pride they show for these officers and I 
am proud to honor Debbie and Bob for their sense of duty as well.

                          ____________________