[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 161 (Tuesday, October 25, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF OFFICER REYNAUD ``REY'' WALLACE
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HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Reynaud ``Rey''
Wallace of Fresno, California, as he celebrates his retirement from the
Fresno Police Department. For 30 years, Mr. Wallace has served the
Fresno community proudly. Not only did he work to keep our
neighborhoods safe, but he also served as a mentor, coach, father
figure and friend to many people in our community.
Mr. Wallace was born on October 18, 1952, to Carl and Ernestine
Wallace in Montgomery, Alabama. The eldest of six children, Mr. Wallace
grew up immersed in sports and was an avid baseball, basketball and
football player. Mr. Wallace graduated from John Muir High School in
Pasadena, California, and eventually made his way to Fresno.
In 1981, Mr. Wallace joined the Fresno Police Department. During his
time with the department, Mr. Wallace served as an innovator and
educator. His inventive spirit led to the creation of the Fresno Police
Activities League, better known as PAL, in 1992. Fresno PAL seeks to
prevent juvenile crime and violence by establishing relationships
between law enforcement personnel and Fresno youth. Mr. Wallace spent
seven years in PAL where he coached teams and served as a consultant
for the national PAL program. He oversaw programs in Oregon, Santa
Barbara, Ojai, as well as others in the San Joaquin Valley. Many
current police officers were in the PAL program while it was under
Rey's purview.
Following his time in PAL, he became a member of Southwest Problem
Oriented Policing, where he continued to use his leadership and
collaboration skills to protect and improve the lives of those he
served.
Mr. Wallace's unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of
our community has earned him recognition from his colleagues and
community members. In 1985, he was named the Northwest District Officer
of the Year, and in 2007, he was recognized as the Officer of the Year
for the Southwest District. In addition, Mr. Wallace was awarded the
Life Saving Medal of Valor, the Medal of Merit and the National
Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds Award.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr.
Reynaud ``Rey'' Wallace for his years of service to the Fresno Police
Department and to the people of Fresno, California. I invite my
colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Wallace's commitment,
dedication, and success and wish him well as he embarks on new
endeavors.
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