[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 70 (Thursday, May 7, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO HEATHER FONG

 Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I am pleased to pay tribute to 
San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong as she retires from the city 
and county of San Francisco's Police Department after 32 years of 
dedicated service.
  A lifelong Californian, Chief Fong was born and raised in the city of 
San Francisco. She grew up in a small flat on Bannam Place, a tiny 
alley in North Beach just outside Chinatown, and attended St. Rose 
Academy in the western addition. It was there that Fong was first 
exposed to the idea that she could pursue a career in law enforcement, 
when a visiting officer was brought into the academy to speak with the 
students. Fong quickly joined the San Francisco Police Athletic 
League's cadet academy, where she served for 2 years, and attended 
classes one night a week at the Hall of Justice. Following her 
graduation from St. Rose Academy, Fong pursued her undergraduate 
education at the University of San Francisco, and later received a 
master's degree in social work from San Francisco State University.
  Chief Fong formally entered the police service when she was sworn in 
as a San Francisco police officer in 1977. Just one month into the job, 
she played a crucial role in the investigation of the massacre in 
Chinatown's Golden Dragon restaurant; her work resulted in four 
convictions. Because of her dedication and strong work ethic, Fong was 
given a beat along Clement Street with a veteran police officer, where 
she quickly learned the ropes. Two years later, in 1979, Fong 
transferred to the Police Academy, where she became the first female 
instructor, an honor not usually given to young officers.
  Fong has served the San Francisco Police Department in various 
capacities over her 32 years of service, working her way through the 
ranks of inspector, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, commander, deputy 
chief, assistant chief, acting chief, and finally, chief.
  San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed Fong acting chief of 
Police on January 22, 2004 and chief of police on April 14, 2004. Fong 
was the first woman to become chief of police for San Francisco and the 
Nation's first Asian American woman to lead a major city's police 
department. Chief Fong is deserving of a very relaxing retirement--in 
her 5 years as police chief, she never took one vacation.
  I admire Chief Fong's 32 years of dedicated service to the people of 
San Francisco. Along with her friends and admirers throughout the San 
Francisco Bay area, I thank her for her tireless efforts and wish her 
the best as she embarks on the next phase of her life.

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