[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 105 (Tuesday, July 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO NYPD ASSISTANT CHIEF RAYMOND DIAZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize and thank Patrol 
Borough Commander, Assistant Chief Raymond Diaz of the New York City 
Police Department who for the last 15 years and a total of 24 years has 
served my Congressional District with much CPR--Courtesy, 
Professionalism, and Respect.
  The history of American law enforcement is a tale of triumphs and 
tragedies. Since the first night watch established in Boston in 1631, 
police officers, the men and women in blue who serve and protect our 
citizenry, have laid their lives down while serving the public 
interest. Never having worked in law enforcement, I can see that police 
work is often dangerous, with long hours, impossible weather, and for 
not a whole lot of pay, frequently dealing with the worst elements of 
our society. It has always been my considered opinion that all 
Americans owe a debt of generosity to our honest and hardworking police 
officers and the chiefs they serve under for all that they do.
  As a thirty-nine year veteran of the New York Police Department, 
Assistant Chief Raymond Diaz embodies the true spirit of ``New York's 
Finest.'' He has served and protected my District with great 
distinction and his tireless dedication to Upper Manhattan and his 
fellow officers under his command is quite admirable. Assistant Chief 
Diaz's life long dedication of service in the line of duty should serve 
as an example to all.
  Assistant Chief Raymond Diaz was appointed to the New York City 
Police Department in January 1970 and began his career on patrol in 
Manhattan's 1st Precinct. In January 1972, he was reassigned to East 
Harlem's 25th Precinct where he served for nine years. After a number 
of assignments in Brooklyn and Staten Island and promotions to the rank 
of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain, in May 1994 he was assigned back 
to my beloved East Harlem as the Commanding Officer of the School 
Safety Division.
  Upon Chief Nicholas Estavillo's historic ascension as the City of New 
York's first Latino Chief of Patrol in June of 2001, Diaz was selected 
to replace him as the Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Manhattan 
North which encompasses my entire Congressional District. As the 
Commanding Officer of Manhattan North, Assistant Chief Diaz supervised 
over 2,400 police officers and over 200 civilians in the 12 Manhattan 
precincts north of 59th Street.
  Assistant Chief Diaz is ``True Blue;'' one of the finest products of 
my district who came up through the struggles of life. He was born in 
East Harlem's Metropolitan Hospital to immigrant parents. His father 
Amador immigrated from Chile and his mother Helena from the Ukraine. 
Due to a family illness, Assistant Chief Diaz and his younger brother 
Jay were separated from their parents and raised in foster homes 
through the Catholic Home Bureau.
  Upon graduation from his school, Assistant Chief Diaz joined the 
United States Marine Corps where he so valiantly served as Corporal in 
the Vietnam War. As a result, he was the recipient of two Purple 
Hearts. After joining the Police Department, he attended college night 
classes and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. Assistant 
Chief Diaz is also a devout family man. He has been married to his wife 
Lynn for thirty-seven years and is a proud parent of a son, Carlos.
  As he is re-assigned to the coveted Manhattan Borough South Command, 
I congratulate Assistant Chief Diaz on his advancement, and I'm certain 
that he will continue to serve the communities of the new command with 
the same leadership, professionalism, and admiration of those he so 
valiantly served in my district.
  So Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join 
me in recognizing my good friend Assistant Chief Raymond Diaz for all 
his contributions to my district and the city of New York. He is truly 
one of New York's finest and I wish him well.

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