[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 58 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E556-E557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF THE NATIONAL POLICE DEFENSE FOUNDATION ANNUAL AWARDS
DINNER HONOREES
______
HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.
of new jersey
in the house of representatives
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nicholas
Turturro, Jack Garcia, Tyree Bacon, Christine Levinson, the Honorable
Bill Pascrell, Jr., the Honorable Lenin Voltaire Moreno Garces, Jose
Zhanay and Norma Delgado as they are honored by the National Police
Defense Foundation. Each of these distinguished honorees has made
significant contributions to the law enforcement community.
Man of the Year honoree Nicholas Turturro has portrayed police
officers in a positive light as an actor. He worked on ``NYPD Blue'' as
Detective James Martinez for seven seasons and currently plays Sergeant
Anthony Renzulli on ``Blue Bloods.'' He earned two Emmy nominations for
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role on ``NYPD
Blue.'' In addition to his law enforcement roles on these television
dramas, Mr. Turturro has made appearances in several movies and other
television shows.
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient SSA Jack Garcia (Ret) served
with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for 26 years. He served
as an undercover FBI Agent for 24 years, working on over 100 operations
against domestic and foreign organized crime groups, corrupt
politicians, corrupt police officers and drug dealers. SSA Garcia also
helped with National Security Investigations and national and
international terrorism cases. He serves as a member of various
organizations, including the FBI Agents Association, the Society of
Former Special Agents of the FBI and the NYPD Honor Legion among many
others. Today, SSA Garcia utilizes his vast expertise as a lecturer as
well as Managing Director of security firm Pathfinder Consultants
International, Inc.
Valor Award honoree Lt. Tyree Bacon is a New York State Court
Officer. During the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack, Lt. Bacon
rescued a woman from Tower Two as it collapsed and killed 3 of the
responders. He has received numerous commendations for his heroic
actions, including the Medal of Excellent Service and Medal of Valor
from New York State and the Senior Court Officers Association. In
addition to his service as a court officer, Lt. Bacon is an Ocean Beach
Police Department officer and Lieutenant of Islip Volunteer Fire
Department Ladder Company One. Lt. Bacon also dedicated 20 years of
service to the United States Air Force Reserve, rising to the rank of
Master Sergeant.
Profiles in Courage Award recipient Christine Levinson is the wife of
Robert Levinson, retired FBI Supervisory Special agent who was
kidnapped in Iran while there on private investigation business. Since
his disappearance on March 9, 2007, Mrs. Levinson has dedicated her
time to finding her husband. She has met with several officials,
including President Obama, then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and
FBI Director Robert Mueller to impress upon them the importance of the
case. She also travelled to Iran with one of her sons and met with
Iranian officials in an effort to locate SSA Levinson. Mrs. Levinson
continues to search tirelessly for her husband.
Legislator of the Year recipient Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. is
currently serving his ninth term as the Representative for New Jersey's
9th Congressional District. Mr Pascrell is a supporter of firefighters
and veterans, authoring the Firefighter Investment and Response
Enhancement (F.I.R.E.) Act and fighting for Purple Heart eligibility
for victims of traumatic brain injury. He is also an advocate for
police officers, creating the Community Oriented Policing Services
(COPS) program and has fought to continue the program. Mr. Pascrell
served honorably in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve.
Humanitarian Award honoree Lenin Voltaire Moreno Garces has served as
the Vice President of Ecuador since 2007. As a paraplegic, Vice
President Moreno advocates for those with disabilities. His work on
behalf of the disabled community has earned him several recognitions,
including a nomination for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize.
One of two Member of the Year honorees, Jose Zhanay is the National
Police Defense Foundation's (NPDF) Delegate to Ecuador. He immigrated
to the United States from Ecuador when he was 16 years old and worked
his way up to opening his own jewelry company at the age of 21. A
member of the NPDF since its founding, Mr. Zhanay has worked to help
Ecuadorian children and U.S. police officers in need of medical
assistance. He also dedicates his time to various other organizations
and has received numerous commendations for his work.
Another Member of the Year honoree, C.O. Norma Delgado (Ret.) served
as a Corrections Officer for the New York Department of Corrections for
16 years. A native of Peru, Mrs. Delgado has worked hard in pursuit of
the American Dream. She worked various jobs and attended Bronx
Community College in pursuit of a nursing degree and became employed at
Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx. Her venture into law enforcement service
began on the advice of NPDF Director Joseph Occhipinti. Mrs. Delgado is
the recipient of the National Police Defense Foundation Special
Achievement Award and the New York City Department of Corrections
Hispanic Society's Roberto Clemente Award. She currently serves as the
Administrator of the Operation Kids program of the NPDF.
[[Page E557]]
Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Nicholas Turturro, SSA
Jack Garcia (Ret.), Lt. Tyree Bacon, Christine Levinson, the Honorable
Bill Pascrell, the Honorable Lenin Voltaire Moreno Garces Jr., Jose
Zhanay and C.O. Norma Delgado (Ret.) on their recognition by the
National Police Defense Foundation and thanking them for their
immeasurable contributions to the community.
____________________