[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CHIEF RICHARD GONZALES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2008

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
an individual whose dedication and contributions to the city of Corona, 
California are exceptional. Corona has been fortunate to have dynamic 
and dedicated community leaders who willingly and unselfishly give 
their time and talent and make their communities a better place to live 
and work. Corona Police Chief Richard Gonzales is one of these 
individuals. On September 12, 2008, Richard Gonzales will retire as the 
Corona Chief of Police.
  A native Californian, born in Los Angeles, Richard makes his home in 
Corona with his wife Terry. Richard was sworn in as Corona's Police 
Chief on February 17, 1998. Previously, he spent 26 years the Los 
Angeles Police Department, beginning in 1972 as a patrol officer and 
retiring in 1998 as Captain III overseeing a staff of 170 at Hollenbeck 
Division. Prior to this he was the commanding officer of the 77th 
Street area.
  Chief Gonzales holds a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration 
and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, both from Cal 
State Long Beach. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in 
Quantico, Virginia and in 2001 he attended the FBINA LEEDS Training. He 
has attained an ``Executive'' POST Certificate. He previously taught a 
POST supervisory course at the Ben Clark Training Center in Riverside 
for the Sheriff's Department and a POST supervisory LDSP course at 
Golden West College.
  During his tenure as Chief of Police for the city of Corona, Gonzales 
oversaw the growth of the department from 114 officers to 189 officers. 
In addition, he advocated for the acquisition of a mobile command post, 
computers for patrol cars and an indoor shooting range that is 25 lanes 
wide. Chief Gonzales has been an excellent public servant who has 
consistently provided for the safety and well-being of the community of 
Corona.
  Chief Gonzales is also actively involved in community youth 
activities as a board member of UNITY. His hobbies include golf and 
jogging and he is a member of his department's Baker-to-Vegas running 
team. Chief Gonzales has actively instituted partnerships with the 
local school district, ministerial groups and other service 
organizations to keep our community safe and raise the quality of life 
we share here in Corona. In 1999, Chief Gonzales was honored by the 
Inland Empire Hispanic Image Awards as ``Public Safety Person of the 
Year'' and in 2001 received the Ira Calvert Distinguished Citizen of 
the Year award. In July, 2003, he received the ``Law Administrator of 
the Year'' award from the California School Resource Officers' 
Association.
  Richard's tireless passion for community service has contributed 
immensely to the betterment of the community of Corona, California. I 
am proud to call Richard a fellow community member, American, and 
friend. I know that many community members are grateful for his service 
and salute him as he retires.

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