[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 48 (Monday, March 23, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING CHIEF DOUGLAS DORTENZIO ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 23, 2015

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with the deepest respect and 
admiration that I rise today to join the Town of Wallingford and 
particularly its police force in extending my sincere thanks and 
appreciation to Douglas Dortenzio as he celebrates his retirement after 
twenty-four years of dedicated service as Police Chief and a forty-two 
year career in law enforcement. His retirement marks the end of a 
distinguished career in law enforcement and the Department will simply 
not be the same without him.
  Chief Dortenzio began his career in the New Haven Police Department. 
During his eighteen year career with the NHPD, he rose through the 
ranks and was a major when he was selected to serve as Chief of the 
Wallingford Department. For the last twenty-four years he has served 
the Department, his officers, and the Wallingford community with honor 
and distinction.
  Throughout his career, Chief Dortenzio dedicated himself to ensuring 
the protection and safety of the Wallingford community. He is a staunch 
believer in the concept of community policing and under his tenure he 
has focused the Department's efforts towards building a strong 
relationship between the Department and the community. As head of the 
Wallingford Police Department, Chief Dortenzio made the men and women 
of the Department his highest priority--always ensuring that they had 
access to the most current technologies and equipment. He has always 
fought for the resources, programs, and services he believes are in the 
best interest of the members of his Department and would most benefit 
the community.
  Chief Dortenzio's efforts to create a parents' guide for sober teen 
celebrations have been recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and 
he has been involved in its Red Ribbon Campaigns and National Sobriety 
Checkpoint Week. He has served as a member of the State of Connecticut 
Police Officer Standards and Training Council, the State of Connecticut 
Emergency Management & Homeland Security Coordinating Council, the U.S. 
Attorney's Office Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council, and the FBI--Joint 
Terrorism Task Force. He is a past President of the Connecticut Police 
Chiefs Association and was a member of the Police Chiefs' delegation 
invited to Washington, D.C. to watch then President Bill Clinton sign a 
national crime bill.
  With all of his work, at the Department and in the community, Chief 
Dortenzio still made time to be of great assistance to myself and my 
staff. He has been an invaluable resource to us all and I want to 
extend my deepest thanks and sincere appreciation for all of his many 
years of support and friendship.
  Chief Douglas Dortenzio has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment 
and has left an indelible mark on the Town of Wallingford--he will be 
missed. As he celebrates his retirement, it is with great pleasure that 
I rise today to join his wife Pat and daughter, Christine, as well as 
family, friends, and colleagues in wishing him the very best for many 
more years of health and happiness.

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