[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 165 (Tuesday, November 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF RICHARD HAWTHORNE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 1, 2011

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest respect that I rise 
today to recognize my good friend, Richard Hawthorne, in the event of 
his retirement as Police Chief for the City of Atwater.
  Richard was raised in the community of Atwater. He graduated from 
Atwater High School and received his Associates of Arts degree from 
Merced College. Richard earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fresno 
Pacific University. However disregarding his education achievements, he 
always says that his most important accomplishments are his marriage to 
his beautiful wife Debbie for 33 years and the welcoming of his two 
beautiful daughters into the world, Lyndsay and Amanda.
  Richard began his law enforcement career in 1976 as Deputy Sheriff 
for Merced County. He remained with the Merced County Sheriff 
Department until 1979 when he was hired on as a Police Officer with the 
City of Atwater. He worked his way through the ranks until he was 
promoted to Chief of Police in 2003. He served selflessly until his 
retirement on October 1, 2011. Richard is a man that loved his job and 
the men and women that worked for him. A great example of his 
dedication to his officers is the reasoning behind his retirement. He 
is retiring early so that there is additional money in the budget to 
keep more patrol officers in their jobs during this difficult economic 
time. This is just one example how Richard is always putting others in 
front of him.
  Richard takes an active role in his local community in addition to 
his commitments as Police Chief. Richard is also dedicated to future 
members of law enforcement, as he is also a part-time Criminal Justice 
Instructor at Merced College. He is a member and Past President of the 
Atwater Rotary Club, Board Member of the Atwater Police Activities 
League, Chairman of the Drug and Alcohol Committee of Merced County, 
President of ACAUSE (Atwater Community Advocates United for a Safe 
Environment), Member of the Atwater Police Officers Association, 
California Chiefs of Police Association, Merced Area Crime Stoppers, 
National Chief's Police Association and the Nationwide ``Invest in 
Kids'' Coalition.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring my good 
friend, Mr. Richard Hawthorne, for his leadership, dedication, and 
outstanding service to our community and the Atwater Police Department.

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