[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 186 (Friday, December 11, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT RICK LAMPE

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 11, 2009

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Sergeant Rick Lampe on 
the occasion of his retirement from the Iowa State Patrol.
  For the last 35 years, Sgt. Lampe has served Iowa faithfully and 
honorably. He first served four years with the sheriff's office in 
Waverly, Iowa before serving 31 years with the Iowa State Patrol. In 
1979, he began his career with the Iowa State Patrol in Ogden, Iowa, 
where he plans to enjoy his retirement. Six and a half years ago, Sgt. 
Lampe was promoted to sergeant. Since 1993, he has provided security 
for Senator Chuck Grassley's biannual Ambassador's Tour across Iowa. 
Sgt. Lampe and his wife, Julie, have raised two sons, Nate and Nick and 
are blessed with three grandchildren.
  Times have certainly changed during Sgt. Lampe's time in the Iowa 
State Patrol, even in the past ten years. In 1999, Sgt. Lampe's six 
county district had 47 officers working the area. Today there are only 
26 officers working the same area. When he began, patrol officers did 
not spend significant time in training, but now nearly half of a patrol 
officer's time is training. There also have been many technological 
advances such as in-car computers that have helped simplify parts of 
the job throughout the years.
  Sgt. Lampe's bravery and dedication in the Iowa State Patrol goes 
above and beyond what we are asked of as citizens of this country and 
has earned him the respect of his peers. I commend Sgt. Rick Lampe for 
his many years of loyalty and outstanding service in protecting Iowans 
and serving his community. It has been an immense honor to represent 
Sgt. Lampe in Congress, and I know that my colleagues in the United 
Stated Congress join me in wishing him all the best as he embarks on 
this new journey.

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