[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LARRY HEDLUND

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Special Agent 
Larry Hedlund as a recipient of the Iowa Law Enforcement Victim Service 
Award. The awards were created by the Federal Law Enforcement Victim 
Task Force of the U.S. Attorneys' Offices for the Northern and Southern 
Districts of Iowa.
   Agent Hedlund was nominated by the Webster County Attorney's Office 
for his role in protecting a victim and successfully prosecuting the 
defendant in the State of Iowa vs. Perry Bender case. Agent Hedlund was 
able to gain the victim's trust and cooperation after she was 
threatened with physical harm by the defendant if she appeared for a 
deposition in the pending case. He used the information he gained from 
the victim to locate a digital recorder that included a conversation of 
the defendant threatening the victim. This evidence eventually led to 
the conviction of Mr. Bender.
   Agent Hedlund's 20 years of dedicated service to the Iowa Department 
of Public Safety has made a positive impact on the lives of many 
victims caught in dangerous circumstances. His courage illustrates the 
compassion of Iowans; willing to risk his own safety for people in 
need.
   I commend Special Agent Larry Hedlund for his outstanding service to 
his community and performance on the job. I am honored to represent 
Agent Hedlund in the United States Congress, and I wish him the best in 
his future work protecting the citizens of Iowa.

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