[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 26 (Monday, February 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              HONORING FRESNO POLICE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 9, 2009

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Fresno 
Police Officer's Association for their commitment to serving the city 
and county of Fresno, California.
  For over one hundred years, the Fresno Police Officer's Association 
(FPOA) has had a presence in Fresno. The organization was first known 
as the ``Widow and Orphan's Organization'' and provided assistance to 
the families of its members. The name was changed to the ``Fresno 
Police Relief Association'' and in 1951 was incorporated. The service 
that the organization provided expanded at this time to focus on 
improving benefits, salary and working conditions for the members. In 
1975, the name of the organization finally became the Fresno Police 
Officer's Association. Throughout the organization's hundred years, its 
primary purpose has always been ``Service.''
  Today the FPOA has over eleven thousand members and a Board of 
Directors consisting of eighteen elected positions. The Board positions 
include three officers (President, First Vice President and Second Vice 
President), twelve Directors at Large, one Staff Director and two 
Retiree Directors. The FPOA assists members with supplemental health 
benefits, provides scholarships to dependent children of active or 
retired members, offers legal assistance and helps with various 
disability issues. The group also gives back to the community by 
getting involved with charitable events.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Fresno Police Officer's 
Association for their commitment to serving the police officers of 
Fresno. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing the organization 
many years of continued success.

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