[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 136 (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1619-E1620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF NICHOLAS CARL GOTTUSO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2011

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Police Captain Nicholas Carl 
Gottuso, ``Nick,'' for his 32 years of service with the Hillsborough 
Police Department.
  Captain Gottuso began his career in law enforcement in 1976 as a 
Dispatcher for San Mateo County Communication. In 1980 he was hired by 
the Pacifica Police Department as a Patrol Officer, where he served for 
two years. In January 1983 he was hired by the Town of Hillsborough as 
a Police Office, promoted to Corporal in 1990, Inspector in 1992, 
Sergeant in 1993, Lieutenant in 1999, Police Commander in 2002 and 
achieved the rank of Police Captain that same year. During Captain 
Gottuso's employment with the Hillsborough Police Department, he 
trained as a Field Training Officer, a Background Investigator, and a 
Traffic Investigator; and he served as the Head Range master and was 
responsible for the selection and designation of a standardized 
firearm, the Beretta 92F.
  Captain Gottuso proved to be invaluable to his community as both a 
field agent and an administrator. He was one of the Founding Commanders 
of the North Central Regional SWAT Team, served as a Sniper Team 
Commander and led and participated in dozens of successful operations, 
many of which led to the capture of criminals and the saving of 
innocent lives.
  As a police captain, Captain Gottuso responded to numerous bank 
robberies and other active shooter incidents. Time and again, Captain 
Gottuso put his life on the line for the residents of Hillsborough, and 
the community will forever be indebted to him for his bravery, 
selflessness, and competence.

[[Page E1620]]

  Even when Captain Gottuso wasn't on the front lines, he worked 
tirelessly to improve the lives of Hillsborough's residents, as well as 
the lives of the men and women serving our country abroad. Gottuso 
worked with overseas Unit Commanders during his time as the 
administrator of the Adopt-a-Troop program, a non-profit organization 
that sends much-needed care packages to our troops fighting overseas in 
Iraq and Afghanistan.
  In 2004, I worked closely with Captain Gottuso to redesignate the 
Eugene A. Doran Memorial Bridge which spans the scenic Crystal Springs 
Dam on I-280 in San Mateo County. The bridge was named after the slain 
Hillsborough police officer and we passed a California Senate 
Resolution to include Officer Doran's son who died in the line of duty 
in Vietnam. The Bridge was renamed the Officer Eugene and Marine Lance 
Corporal Patrick M. Doran Memorial Bridge.
  Despite Captain Gottuso's extensive service on the front lines of law 
enforcement, he never lost his sense of humor or desire to entertain. 
Captain Gottuso's ability to lighten the mood delighted generations of 
schoolchildren during police presentations. His yearly narration of the 
K-9 squad demonstration made it a truly enjoyable and memorable event 
for anyone who witnessed it.
  Nicholas Carl Gotusso was born in Ft. Carson, Colorado in 1954 and 
attended Mills High School in Millbrae, California. In his spare time 
he enjoys boating, karate, flying, coaching soccer and he is an avid 
Marksmanship advocate.
  In 1991 he married his wonderful wife Paulette and they are the proud 
parents of Dominic, Marisa, Nicolette and Samantha.
  Captain Gottuso's dedication to public safety, effective enforcement 
of the law, record of bringing criminals to justice and protecting 
innocent life and property while maintaining the highest level of 
professionalism and an infectious sense of humor all warrant special 
gratitude and recognition.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the members of this body to join me in honoring 
Nicholas Gottuso upon his retirement for his dedication to public 
service at the Hillsborough Police Department.

                          ____________________