[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ODELL H. SYLVESTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2014

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life of Mr. Odell H. Sylvester, former Chief of Police of 
Berkeley, California and devoted husband, father and friend. Known 
throughout the Bay Area for his firmness, fairness and compassion, Mr. 
Sylvester has left an indelible mark on our community. With his passing 
on January 25, 2014, we look to the outstanding quality of his life's 
work.
  Born on November 3, 1924 near Dallas, Texas, Mr. Odell Sylvester and 
his family later moved to Kansas City, Missouri. After his first year 
of undergraduate study at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, 
Missouri, he enrolled in military service. For three years, he served 
as a military policeman in North Africa and Italy.
  After returning to the United States, Mr. Sylvester attended the 
University of California, Berkeley and graduated with a degree in 
Business Administration in 1948. Mr. Sylvester went on to complete a 
Master's Degree in Public Administration at the University of Southern 
California.
  Mr. Odell Sylvester began his long career in law enforcement by 
working with the Oakland Police Department in 1949. Progressing through 
the ranks by competitive examination, he became Sergeant in 1957, 
Lieutenant in 1961, moving up to Captain two years later and ended as 
Deputy Chief in 1971. After he left the Oakland Police Department in 
1977, Mr. Sylvester accepted his appointment as Chief of Police in 
Berkeley.
  Breaking racial barriers, Mr. Sylvester became the first African 
American Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Deputy Chief in the Oakland 
Police Department, as well as the first African American Police Chief 
for the City of Berkeley.
  In addition to his prolific career, Mr. Sylvester was an active 
member in the community, including the Oakland Boys' and Girls' Clubs, 
Goodwill Industries, the YMCA, the NAACP and the Church by the Side of 
the Road. He was also a founding member of the National Organization of 
Black Law Enforcement Executives and was the Director of the Bay Area 
Minority Recruitment Project, involving the San Francisco, Berkeley, 
Richmond and Oakland Police Departments. Mr. Sylvester received 
numerous awards for community and professional service, as well as in 
recognition of his lifetime achievements.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an 
outstanding individual, Mr. Odell H. Sylvester. As an Oakland-resident, 
Mr. Sylvester's efforts have truly paved the way for minorities and 
impacted so many lives throughout the Bay Area. I join all of Odell's 
loved ones in celebrating his incredible life. He will be deeply 
missed.

                          ____________________