[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 19 (Tuesday, February 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MR. JOHN EMERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SUE WILKINS MYRICK

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2011

  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor both a colleague and 
friend--Mr. John Emerson--who is retiring from the United States Drug 
Enforcement Administration after 30 years of Federal service.
  John began his career in public service as a volunteer fireman on 
Long Island. He then worked as a Border Patrol Agent for the 
Immigration and Naturalization Service where he protected our borders 
from illegal immigration and drug smugglers.
  He joined the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1984. He worked in 
New York, Los Angeles, Bolivia, and Virginia before being named the 
Assistant Special Agent in Charge for North Carolina. In all of these 
posts, he was instrumental in successfully fighting drug trafficking.
  The work that John has done to combat illegal drugs in our state is 
immense. For example, under his leadership and tireless work with local 
law enforcement, over 70 clandestine methamphetamine laboratories were 
discovered in Western North Carolina. Since then, lab seizures in 
Western North Carolina have dropped by over fifty percent.
  He was also a vital proponent of having our area labeled as a High 
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). Under this designation, our 
local and state law enforcement agencies will have access to the 
resources they need in order to fight drug trafficking in our state.
  As a mayor of Charlotte, I've seen firsthand the negative effect that 
drug dealers and drug trafficking can have on a community. John has 
spent his life going after dangerous drug smugglers in order to keep 
communities across the globe safe. His work cannot be understated--his 
career is one that has truly made a difference.
  Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize Mr. John Emerson's service to 
his country today, and I'm proud to say that our area is a safer one 
because of his work.

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