[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING CHIEF FRANCISCO ORTIZ ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2008

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to rise today to pay 
tribute to an outstanding member of our community and a dear friend as 
he retires after 30 years of dedicated service to the New Haven Police 
Department--Chief Francisco Ortiz. Chief Ortiz, or Cisco as he is 
affectionately known throughout the community, has dedicated a lifetime 
to public service and his presence at the department will most 
certainly be missed.
  In a career that has spanned over four decades. Cisco has 
demonstrated what can only be described as an unparalleled commitment 
to public service and law enforcement. Joining the New Haven Police 
Department as a patrolman in 1978, he quickly rose through the ranks 
and gained invaluable experience in every major unit within the 
Department. Cisco went on to earn a master's degree in law enforcement 
from the University of New Haven and is a proud graduate of the 170th 
Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy in 
Quantico. He was invited to attend the prestigious Senior Management 
Institute for Police at Boston University and attended the inaugural 
class of the Management Training Institute, a joint initiative between 
Yale University and the City of New Haven.
  A long time advocate of the community policing philosophy, Cisco is 
also a senior fellow and one of the founders of the Yale Child Study 
Center's Child Development/Community Policing Program--a program 
designed to provide police personnel with the special psychological 
expertise which is needed when dealing with children and families who 
are witness to, or victims of, violent crime. I have had the privilege 
of working directly with Cisco on this program and today it stands as a 
national model for communities across the country.
  Cisco's involvement with the community goes far beyond his 
professional contributions. He also serves on a number of local civic 
and service organizations including Easter Seals/Goodwill, the 
Connecticut Puerto Rican Parade Committee, the Connecticut Special 
Olympics, and the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee. Cisco has also 
been an invaluable resource to myself and my staff. I would be remiss 
if I did not take this opportunity to extend a special note of thanks 
to him for his participation as a member of the recommendation panel 
for the Maria Baez Perez Scholarships--a program which I sponsor in 
memory of one of my former staff members who we lost only a few years 
ago.
  With all of his experience in the Department and in the community, it 
was no surprise when Cisco was named Chief in 2003--becoming the first 
Latino in Connecticut to attain the highest rank in a law enforcement 
agency. It was a very proud day for him, his family, and our community. 
I have no doubt that Cisco will continue to be involved in our 
community. His desire and commitment to making New Haven a better place 
to live, work, and grow will not fade with his departure from the 
department. Every community should be so fortunate.
  Today, as family, friends, and colleagues gather to celebrate his 
retirement, I am so pleased to extend my very best wishes to Chief 
Francisco Ortiz, his wife, Myra, his children, Jennifer, Francisco, and 
Mariah, as well as his granddaughter Mariah, for many more years of 
health and happiness.

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