[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 128 (Saturday, August 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO OFFICER GREGG PASSAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mr. STARK, Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Officer 
Gregg Passama on his retirement from the City of Newark, California, 
after serving 20 years as a member of the Newark Police Department and 
over 33 commendable years in the field of law enforcement.
  Officer Passama began his law enforcement career in January 1974 as a 
police officer for the Southern Pacific Railroad located in San 
Francisco, California. During this time, he was elected Union President 
to represent all Southern Pacific Railroad police officers. Mr. Passama 
also found time to attend the prestigious George Meany School of Labor 
Studies.
  On June 1, 1987, he began his career with the Newark Police 
Department as a police officer. He also served as a field training 
officer and a member of both the Criminal Evidence Response and Trauma 
Support Teams during his career.
  Officer Passama received Newark's Police Officer of the Year award in 
2000 after being nominated by his peers for his compassion for others 
and his tireless efforts as a Newark Police Association board member, 
vice president, and president for two terms.
  He has also previously held the positions of secretary, treasurer, 
and director of the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs 
(COPS), an organization dedicated to serving peace officers. He is 
currently the president of COPS, a position he has held since 2004.
  Officer Passama transferred to the Training Department of the Newark 
Police in January 2001, where he will finish out his career as the 
training officer.
  I join the Newark Police Department in thanking Officer Passama for 
his dedicated service to law enforcement and commitment to the 
community.

                          ____________________