[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.

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