[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 61 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF NORMAN M. WALKER IN CELEBRATION OF HIS 
         RETIREMENT AS CHIEF OF POLICE, CITY OF DEFIANCE, OHIO

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                          HON. ROBERT E. LATTA

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 2008

  Mr. LATTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay a very special tribute 
to one of the truly outstanding individuals from Ohio's Fifth 
Congressional District, Mr. Norman Walker. On Friday, April 18. 2008, 
Norman Walker will retire after thirty years of service on the City of 
Defiance's Police Department.
  Over the last three decades, Norman Walker has certainly been an 
indispensible asset to the City of Defiance and to the northwest Ohio 
law enforcement community. His strong commitment to sound principles 
and honest leadership has guided his nearly fifteen years of service as 
Chief of Police. Mr. Walker's commitment to the law enforcement creed 
of ``to serve and protect'' was instilled in him as he worked his way 
through every rank in the Defiance Police Department. Without question, 
Mr. Walker has given unselfishly of his time and talents in order that 
the citizens of the City of Defiance might have a safe community in 
which to work and raise their families.
  Norman Walker embodies the spirit of American public service and 
through his workman-style approach put his vision for a modern rural 
police department into action to establish the City of Defiance's 
police department as it model for the region. His dedication to 
community-oriented policing has empowered not only his fellow officers, 
but community residents as well, to play an active role in their own 
safety and have a voice in how their police department can continually 
provide better service to the residents of Defiance, Ohio.
  Madam Speaker, it has often been said that America succeeds due to 
the remarkable accomplishments and contributions of her citizens. It is 
evident that Mr. Walker has devoted himself to the preservation of a 
free and just society where the rule of law is respected by all who 
call this great land their home. For that, we owe him a debt of 
gratitude that mere words cannot sufficiently express.
  Madam Speaker, at this time, I would ask my colleagues of the 110th 
Congress to join me in honoring Norman Walker. On the occasion of his 
retirement as the City of Defiance's Chief of Police, we thank him for 
his dedicated service and we wish him well in all of his future 
endeavors.

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