[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 139 (Friday, November 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  IN RECOGNITION OF MICHAEL J. MASSONI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 14, 2014

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Michael J. Massoni who is 
retiring as Police Chief after 35 years of outstanding service at the 
South San Francisco Police Department. Mike is an exceptional law 
enforcement officer and human being and I have had the great privilege 
of working closely with him to combat human trafficking in San Mateo 
County.
  Mike started as a police officer in August 1979, was promoted to 
police corporal in 1983 and to police sergeant in 1988. In his four 
years in that capacity, he served as traffic and planning liaison 
sergeant, acting commander of the investigations division, and acting 
watch commander and in the patrol and criminal investigation divisions. 
In 2001, Mike became police lieutenant and served as patrol watch 
commander and training manager. Three years later he rose to police 
captain and was the commander of the operations and services divisions. 
And finally in May of 2009, he rose to the top of the department and 
became Police Chief. Over the course of three decades, Mike has served 
on the San Mateo County Police Chiefs and Sheriffs Association, the San 
Mateo County Commanders Association, the San Mateo County Training 
Managers Association, the Police Athletic League and the Police 
Association--on most of them as president. As if that wasn't enough 
responsibility, he agreed to also serve as the Public Safety Chief this 
last year. What that really means is that he served as both Police and 
Fire Chief.
  You will never hear Mike complain. He just gets the work done 
quietly, and with a smile on his face. However, I have heard him say 
over the last few months leading up to his retirement that he is 
looking forward to relaxing and spending time with his wife Lexann who 
has lots of plans for him.
  Mike was born in South San Francisco in 1955 and attended South San 
Francisco High School. He received his Associates of Art in 
Administration of Justice from the College of San Mateo in 1975. He 
continued his education at Notre Dame De Namur University where he 
earned his Bachelors of Sciences in Human Services in 2001 and his 
Masters of Public Administration in 2004.
  Mike has completed a long list of professional classes and 
certificates, including the Supervisory Leadership Institute, Executive 
Development and the Role of the Police Chief. He also served on several 
regional committees such as the North San Mateo County Gang Task Force, 
the San Mateo County Commanders Subpoena Process Revisions Committee 
and the San Mateo County Human Trafficking Committee, which Mike and I 
cofounded in 2012. He was an incredible partner in taking on an issue 
that nobody in San Mateo County law enforcement knew existed. Human 
trafficking on the San Francisco Peninsula is indeed a serious problem 
because of high demand and an infrastructure that easily supports it 
with freeways, an airport and a large number of hotels. We brought 
together law enforcement on the local, state and federal level to 
combat this modern version of slavery. Mike took the lead in developing 
and implementing the San Mateo County Human Trafficking Protocol for 
Law Enforcement which lays out in detail how to best deal with 
trafficking cases. The protocol should serve as a model for communities 
across the country and the world.
  Mike's thoughtful approach to law enforcement has been appreciated 
and published on many occasions. He is a prolific writer. One of his 
articles was published in the FBI Law Enforcement Journal and the South 
San Francisco Municipal Code includes several of his city staff reports 
on issues such as regulating adult related businesses, side shows, 
curfew violations and commercial alarms.
  His dedication and work have been noticed and recognized throughout 
his career; he was awarded a Certificate of Commendation in 1981, the 
South San Francisco Police Department Chief's award in 1995 and the 
South San Francisco High School Community Service Award in 2007.
  Mike firmly believes in giving back to the community, so in addition 
to his job obligations, he volunteers as a guest lecturer and advisory 
committee member at Notre Dame de Namur University, and is a member of 
the South San Francisco Rotary Club, a member of the Sitike Counseling 
Center and co-chair of the Interact Club for South San Francisco High 
School. He also participated in the annual Senior Citizens Breakfast, 
Tip-A-Cop and Day in the Park events organized by the police department 
for the community.
  As mentioned earlier, Mike's wife of 32 years, Lexann McKay Massoni, 
will be his travel and social manager in his retirement. He will no 
doubt enjoy spending extra time with their two children, Heather and 
Steven, and watching San Francisco Giants games.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House of Representatives rise with me to 
honor the long and meaningful law enforcement career of South San 
Francisco Police Chief Mike Massoni whom I'm proud to call a friend and 
colleague. He has touched and saved countless lives and leaves behind 
giant shoes to fill. Mike will be deeply missed, but his impact on our 
community will be felt for years to come. He will no doubt go down as 
one of the finest police chiefs to serve in the history of San Mateo 
County.

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