[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 194 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S8726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO WILSON ``BILL'' LIVINGOOD
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the extraordinary work
of the Honorable Wilson ``Bill'' Livingood, who served with distinction
for 17 years as the House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms,
protecting and serving Members, staff and visitors to the Capitol
complex.
Mr. Livingood, the House Chief Law Enforcement Officer, served with
great merit in his capacity as Sergeant at Arms and as a member and
biennial Chairman of the United States Capitol Police Board,
shepherding monumental security enhancements post September 11, 2001.
Mr. Livingood was sworn in on January 4, 1995, for the 104th
Congress, making him the third longest-serving House Sergeant at Arms
in United States history. Prior to 1995, Mr. Livingood was the Senior
Advisor to the Director of the U.S. Secret Service, from 1989 to 1995,
serving for 33 years as a special agent with the Secret Service.
Born on October 1, 1936, in Philadelphia, Mr. Livingood received a
Bachelor of Science degree in Police Administration from Michigan State
University. His public service began at an early age, as he served as
Michigan State University's student body president in 1959. A veteran
of the U.S. Navy, he was appointed as a Special Agent at the Secret
Service's Dallas Field Office in 1961 and held supervisory assignments
at headquarters and on several protective divisions to include the
Presidential Protective Division.
In 1969, Mr. Livingood was promoted to Assistant to the Special Agent
in Charge of the Presidential Protection Division. Five years later, he
was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Office of
Protective Forces. Mr. Livingood was named Special Agent in Charge of
the Houston Field Office in 1982 until his appointment as Deputy
Assistant Director, Office of Training in 1986. From 1988 to 1995, he
served as the Senior Advisor to three Directors.
Mr. President, Mr. Livingood is known best around the world for his
introduction of the President of the United States at the State of the
Union address, and he is the 36th person to hold the Sergeant at Arms
office since the House of Representatives first met in New York City in
1789.
Mr. Livingood served during critical, historical and tragic events
that include the fatal shootings of two United States Capitol Police
officers, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the anthrax
attacks the following month in 2001.
Mr. President, during his tenure, Mr. Livingood has served with great
resolution, balancing security needs while maintaining open access to
the ``People's House.''
Mr. President, I congratulate Mr. Livingood on his well-earned
retirement.
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