[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 21, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E88]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING COMMISSIONER TOM FREEMAN FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR NATION, THE 
               STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RAUL RUIZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 21, 2015

  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Commissioner Tom Freeman 
as he's retiring after 35 years in service to our nation, state, and 
the County of Riverside, California. While serving the County of 
Riverside Tom has served as the Commissioner of Foreign Trade, 
Commissioner of Defense and Military Services, Commissioner of the 
Office of Film and Television, Chief of Staff, Board of Supervisors, 
4th district, Executive Officer for the Sheriff's Department, Chief 
Public Information Officer and Emergency Services Coordinator for the 
CDF-County Fire, and first Chairman of the Workforce Development Board. 
His extraordinary service with the County of Riverside in key posts has 
been of great benefit to the county and its 2.3 million residents.
  Tom began serving his nation in the United States Air Force in 1979, 
enlisting during the Iranian Hostage Crisis and later served in the 
Inaugural Honor Guard of President Ronald Reagan, The Homecoming Honor 
Guard for the Iranian Hostages, and the Funeral and Repose of General 
of the Army Omar Bradley. In 1981, Tom was selected for Marine Corps 
and Naval Parachutist Training, which he completed, earning the 
prestigious Paratrooper Badge. He went on to complete Instructor School 
and receive his Air Training Command Instructor Badge. He then served 
the House and Senate, teaching selected members of the Armed Services 
Committee escape, evasion, survival, and parachute training at nearby 
Andrews Air Force Base. Later in 1984, then Staff Sargent-Select 
Freeman, was honored by the U.S. Senate, having his enlistment oath 
administered by the late Senator Quentin S. Burdick on in the Senate 
Chamber, thus becoming the first member of the active duty armed forces 
to have his enlistment oath administered on the Senate Floor by a 
seated member of the Senate of the United States.
  Tom returned to his native California with assignment to the 
Undergraduate Navigator Instructor School, United States Air Force, 
Mather Air Force Base and served as the Non Commissioned Officer In 
Charge of Training for future Air Force Navigators. He excelled in this 
assignment and was named Non Commissioned Officer of the Year. Later he 
was honorably discharged and joined the Military Department, State of 
California and was called to Active Duty again thru 1990. While serving 
on active duty with the State of California he was again named Non 
Commissioned Officer of the Year, this time for the entire state, and 
he was also honored as Non Commissioned Officer of the Year by the Air 
Force Association and the Air Force Sargent's Association. He was also 
honored by the National Guard Bureau, here in Washington, D.C., two 
years in a row with the Rookie Recruiter of the Year Award and 
Recruiter of the Year Award the following year. During this same period 
of time Tom received a Commendation Medal for rendering lifesaving 
first aid to an injured motorist. Other awards received include four 
more commendation medals, an achievement medal, meritorious service 
medal, and the Air Force Recognition Ribbon, amongst many others.
  On January 10, 1990 Tom began his service with the County of 
Riverside-CDF, Office of Emergency Services. Over his almost 5 years in 
this post he responded to major quakes, floods, and fires earning three 
awards from the Governor of California for his service and Emergency 
Manager of the Year honors from the City of Indian Wells, Rancho 
Mirage, and Palm Desert. Later he was promoted to the post of 
Legislative, Information, and Marketing Officer at the Economic 
Development Agency. After 6 years as Vice President of Government 
Affairs and Marketing with WMI, the world's largest environmental 
service provider, Tom returned to serve as Chief of Staff for his 
mentor and friend, the late County Supervisor Roy Wilson. Tom served 
with distinction as Chief of Staff and accepted a promotion as 
Executive Officer for Riverside County Sheriff Larry Smith. He excelled 
in this position and received awards for his work from the Secret 
Service, FBI, The International Association of Chiefs of Police, State 
Attorney General, and United States Army. He was the Agency 
Representative to the Ford Family during the Funeral & Repose of the 
38th President of the United States. After serving the Sheriff's 
Department with distinction he returned to the Economic Development 
Agency as Commissioner of the Office of Foreign Trade, spokesman, and 
custodian of records.
  Tom has decided to retire at the age of 55 and spend time with his 
wife, Brenda Salas Freeman, enjoy their grandson Robert III, and enjoy 
time with sons Joel, Robert II, and daughter in-law Lindsay. His career 
as the Foreign Trade Commissioner was remarkable, crafting three 
bilateral trade agreements with Canada, Japan, and Croatia, and helping 
take Riverside County Exports from 47th in the nation to 24th in the 
nation. He also served with the National Association of Counties, 
achieving the post of Vice Chairman of the International Task Force on 
Economic Development, supporting global trade agreements in South 
Korea, the EU, and pacific rim, and helping businesses create jobs 
through the Great Recession. Tom was frequently consulted by elected 
leaders in the state and nation's capital to discuss trade issues and 
Military & Defense programs and policies. In addition to these 
accomplishments, Colonel Tom Freeman retired in November 2007, 28 years 
after enlisting in the United States Air Force, from the Military 
Department of the State of California and is the recipient of the 
Distinguished Service Medal-Order of California Medal by the Governor 
and our Adjutant General. Freeman also chaired numerous charitable 
boards and organizations including the United Way, Breath of Life, 
Junior Diabetes Foundation, and served as Treasurer of the John F. 
Kennedy Foundation 7 Law Enforcement Appreciation Committee in the City 
of Riverside, raising millions for charity. He is the recipient of the 
Jefferson Award for Public Service presented by the 38th President of 
the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, Tom's talent and leadership exemplify the very best of 
Riverside County and my state. Our nation, state, and county are a 
better place because of the efforts of Commissioner Freeman and his 
devotion to duty and commitment to serve the people. I congratulate 
Commissioner Freeman on his 35 years of service to our nation, state, 
and County of Riverside and wish him well in retirement and all future 
endeavors.

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