[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 139 (Wednesday, September 30, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING SHERIFF BILL KOLENDER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 30, 2009

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bill 
Kolender, a distinguished public servant, lifelong law enforcement 
official and well-respected and recently retired Sheriff of San Diego 
County.
  After growing up in Chicago, Bill Kolender found his way to San 
Diego. In 1964, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs and 
Public Administration from San Diego State University, which wisely 
honored him as its outstanding alumnus in 1985. It was one of many 
well-deserved awards he received during his 13 years of service as 
Chief of Police for the San Diego Police Department.
  Although he retired from the San Diego Police Department in 1988, 
Bill Kolender remained in the public eye and continued to serve the 
public good. In 1991, Governor Pete Wilson appointed Bill to serve as 
Director of the California Youth Authority (CYA), the largest youth 
correctional agency in the nation. I remember hearing him speak 
eloquently of the young people whose lives he touched and how engaged 
he was in their rehabilitation.
  His passion for public safety remained strong and his commitment to 
San Diego never faltered. Before long, Bill decided to run for sheriff. 
He was elected by the people of San Diego County to serve as their 28th 
Sheriff, a position he assumed in 1995. He was re-elected three times.
  Serving as Sheriff of San Diego County is no small task. His 
responsibilities were many. As Sheriff, Bill led over 4,000 employees, 
oversaw a $500 million budget, and successfully operated 7 detention 
facilities and 11 court facilities. He led by example and administered 
justice in a firm, but fair, manner. He never sought to exploit a 
situation or to use another's tragedy to promote a personal agenda. 
Instead, he worked tirelessly to protect the people of San Diego.
  As Sheriff, Bill served as the de facto police chief for 9 of the 18 
cities in San Diego County that contracted the services of his office. 
Bill Kolender was, in short, the chief law enforcement officer for much 
of San Diego County. It was here, in law enforcement, that he truly 
shined. When Bill retired earlier this year, crime in San Diego County 
was at a 25-year low. Across the board and across the county, San Diego 
is safer thanks to Bill Kolender. In nearly every category, and in 
nearly every city, crime is down.
  As a former police chief, Bill understood that criminals do not 
respect city boundaries. By working cooperatively, Sheriff Kolender 
brought together leaders of federal, state, and local law enforcement 
agencies to create multi-jurisdictional task forces that successfully 
shared information and strategies to fight crime and to reduce it.
  Those who understand this issue--whether they serve in public safety, 
in elected office or in academics--credit Bill Kolender for ushering in 
an era of cooperation between law enforcement agencies across the 
county. Bill Kolender was the leader who brought these different 
agencies together to make all of San Diego safer.
  I am not the first to honor Sheriff Bill Kolender, and I will not be 
the last. But I am proud to add my voice to the chorus of those singing 
his praises because the accolades are well deserved. Thanks to Bill 
Kolender, San Diego is not only America's finest city, it is one of 
America's safest cities.

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