[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 58 (Monday, April 23, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF JONI D. LEE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2012

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Sergeant Joni D. Lee for her 
31 years of service with the South San Francisco Police Department. 
Long before community policing was a popular concept, Sergeant Lee 
personified a law enforcement officer fully integrated into the 
community. She has worked closely with local businesses, educated our 
youth and supported our senior citizens.
  Sergeant Lee was hired as the first female officer by the San 
Francisco Police Department in June 1980. In November 2000 she was 
promoted to sergeant, another first for a woman at the department. She 
was instrumental in developing county wide programs and protocols for 
the investigation of sexual assaults, exploitation of children on the 
internet and curbing school truancy.
  During her three decades in law enforcement, Sergeant Lee has 
demonstrated her professionalism, outstanding skills in negotiations 
and handling of dangerous situations while keeping her humanity and an 
open mind.
  She solved her very first murder case in 1988 within 48 hours, a 
benchmark in law enforcement. A man who lived with his divorced wife 
had taken in a transient man and his young girlfriend. Tragically, the 
transient shot the man. After the murder, Sergeant Lee befriended the 
girlfriend of the transient and feels that she made a difference in the 
young woman's life.
  Sergeant Lee has worked on the Hostage Negotiation Team since 2000. 
In a high-profile hostage-suicide incident at the Travelodge in 2003, 
she was one of two primary negotiators and deserves credit for saving 
the life of the suspect's girlfriend. The suspect had barricaded 
himself and his girlfriend in a room at the motel after allegedly 
killing a prominent kick boxer. After about 14 hours of negotiations 
over the phone, Sergeant Lee convinced the girlfriend to leave the 
motel room.
  Mr. Speaker, I have been at events with Sergeant Lee and have 
witnessed the air of safety and calm she radiates.
  Sergeant Lee also worked as a Peer Support Advisor and Police 
Explorer Advisor. She was honored as the South San Francisco Police 
Association Officer of the Year in 1996 and 2003 and was awarded the 
Avoid the 23 Pin in 2002 and 2003.
  Enthusiasm, optimism and generosity are in Sergeant Lee's DNA. 
Outside her work with the police department, she volunteers her time 
and expertise to Special Olympics and the Boy Scouts of America. She 
has also coached varsity softball at Menlo Atherton High School.
   She was born in San Francisco in 1956 and attended South San 
Francisco High School. She earned her Associate in Arts, Administration 
of Justice from the College of San Mateo and her Bachelor of Science in 
Criminal Justice Administration from San Jose State University.
  In her spare time--of which she now will have much more upon her well 
deserved retirement--Sergeant Lee enjoys reading, softball, 
racquetball, bicycling, traveling, outlet shopping and cooking.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to rise with me to honor Sergeant Joni 
Lee for her dedication to public service and safety. She will be deeply 
missed by her fellow officers and the law abiding residents of South 
San Francisco.

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