[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 59 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO SPECIAL AGENT JAMES HAROLD SIZEMORE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise to thank Special Agent James 
Harold Sizemore for his many years of service to the people of 
Kentucky. For nearly three decades, he has worked in the dangerous 
field of law enforcement, risking his own well-being on behalf of his 
neighbors, and for that an entire State is grateful.
  Harold was born and raised in Clay County, where his father was the 
sheriff. Harold followed in his father's footsteps and was elected 
sheriff of Clay County in 1982. He took a hard stand against illegal 
marijuana cultivation, a problem in that area, and conducted several 
successful eradication missions.
  I first met Harold in 1989 when he was still serving as sheriff, and 
he described to me the devastating effect marijuana cultivation was 
having in Clay County. After that and right up to today I have given my 
full support to the Governor's Marijuana Strike Force, which 
coordinates local, State, and Federal law enforcement to combat the 
drug problem in Kentucky. This task force has been recognized by the 
President's Office of National Drug Control Policy for 5 consecutive 
years.
  In 1990, Harold became a Federal law-enforcement officer with the 
U.S. Forest Service, a job he held for 20 years. In that capacity, he 
has conducted over 700 flight hours of surveillance and detection for 
marijuana eradication missions in Kentucky in support of State, local, 
and Federal task forces. His dedication and tireless efforts resulted 
in the eradication of over 100,000 marijuana plants, with a street 
value estimated at $600 million, many in small plots located in remote 
terrain to avoid detection.
  In addition to these flight hours, Harold also participated in 
several missions in support of high-risk felony search and arrest 
warrants executed by State and Federal agencies. His professionalism 
and expertise, coupled with intimate knowledge of the local area, 
played a significant role in these missions being accomplished safely.
  Harold provided key information in over 20 felony investigations, 
resulting in several Federal indictments and arrests. His personal 
knowledge of the Clay County area of the Daniel Boone National Forest 
played a decisive role in the identification of several suspects caught 
on surveillance, which was initiated as a result of Harold's aerial 
reconnaissance.
  Throughout his career as a Federal law-enforcement officer, Harold's 
primary responsibility has been that of marijuana eradication officer 
for the Daniel Boone National Forest--and from that responsibility he 
has never wavered. In 2008, he was recognized by the U.S. Forest 
Service for a career of exceptionally meritorious service.
  The U.S. Forest Service sometimes works with the Kentucky National 
Guard in their drug-control efforts, and Harold's dedication was clear 
to the soldiers he worked alongside. ``Harold is one of the driving 
forces behind the success of the Kentucky National Guard's efforts in 
support of these missions,'' says LTC Karlas Owens.
  ``When observing marijuana in a helicopter, Harold possessed the 
patience of Job while maneuvering his ground element over difficult 
terrain . . . he guided officers cross-country as they walked to 
distant marijuana plots in the Daniel Boone National Forest and ensured 
they made a safe return. . . . Harold not only gives 110 percent to the 
[U.S.] Forest Service, but always supports the Kentucky National Guard 
and ensures we are successful as well.''
  Lieutenant Colonel Owens also has these words for Harold, after 
working alongside him for 20 years on these dangerous but vital 
missions: ``For your teachings and friendship, I thank you, Sir.''
  A countless number of Kentuckians owe their thanks to Harold as well. 
Upon his retirement, I know my colleagues in the U.S. Senate join me in 
thanking Special Agent James Harold Sizemore for his decades of 
service. The work he has done for so many years has bequeathed to all 
of us a safer, stronger Kentucky.

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