[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF SERGEANT NORMAN ELDEN WILLINGHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2011

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to 
Sergeant Norman Elden Willingham.
  Sgt. Willingham grew up in Tuscaloosa County and graduated from 
Northside High School in 1969. After graduation, he served with honor 
and distinction in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1969-71 with a tour of 
duty in Vietnam as a machine gunner.
  In 1974, he graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor 
of Arts degree. From 1974-76, he worked as a police officer for the 
University of Alabama Police Department. From 1976-80, he was employed 
as a police officer with the City of Tuscaloosa and earned a Masters 
degree in criminal justice in 1979 from the University of Alabama.
  In 1980, he went to work for the Birmingham Police Department. Upon 
graduating Birmingham Police Department's academy, Sgt. Willingham was 
immediately transferred into the Narcotics Unit, where he worked 
undercover for 2 years. In 1982, Sgt. Willingham went to work for the 
Northport Police Department, where he was assigned as one of the 
original members of the West Alabama Drug Task Force until 1985.
  In 1985, he went to work with the Alabama Department of Public 
Safety. Sgt. Willingham was assigned as an Alabama State Trooper in 
Greene County, Alabama, for 3 years, where he developed a reputation as 
a professional law enforcement officer. In 1988, Sgt. Willingham 
transferred to the Alabama Bureau of Investigations where he completed 
assignments in the general crime investigative division and the 
narcotics investigation units.
  In 1999, Sgt. Willingham was assigned to the Birmingham District 
Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration where he serves until his 
retirement on April 1, 2011. He has developed a reputation throughout 
Alabama and the United States narcotics law enforcement community as 
the ``go to guy'' in Alabama. Sgt. Willingham has been the case agent 
on several multi-state and international drug investigations which have 
led to the dismantlement of drug trafficking organizations throughout 
the United States.
  He is preparing to slow down and work on his farm in Tuscaloosa 
County, Alabama, with his wife Martha, and spending time with his 
family. I congratulate Sgt. Willingham on his retirement and thank him 
for his service to America.

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