[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 69 (Tuesday, May 3, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





           CONGRATULATING MAJOR REY VALDES ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2016

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
retirement of Major Rey Valdes, who has served the Miami-Dade community 
as a police officer for over thirty-one years.
   Major Valdes began his career as an officer, and has risen steadily 
through the ranks. Throughout his time in the Miami-Dade Police 
Department he has exhibited a passion for continued education, respect 
and compassion for his colleagues, and an understanding of the 
seriousness and importance of the profession he chose.
   At various times during his career, Major Valdes worked with the 
homicide bureau, the narcotics bureau, and warrants management in 
several different roles throughout the department. In his current 
position, Major Valdes is responsible for all aspects of the 
Communications Bureau of the Miami-Dade Police Department. The 
Communications Bureau is the largest 911 Center in the southeastern 
United States, and the fourth largest in the country.
   Even as he is preparing to leave the department, Major Valdes is 
currently studying to take the test to be certified as an Anti-Money 
Laundering Specialist. This credential will add to his value as a 
Certified Fraud Examiner. He hopes to continue to work in the field of 
fraud examination after his retirement.
   Miami-Dade has been lucky to have had such an exceptional individual 
serving in its police force. Through the years, I have gotten to know 
Rey personally, as his daughter Katrina serves as my communications 
director, and am honored to call him a friend. I would like to extend 
my sincerest congratulations to Rey on his illustrious and productive 
career, and extend my warmest wishes to his wife Elizabeth, and 
children Giorey, Armani, and Katrina.
   Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Major Rey Valdes for his 
tremendous service to the Miami community, and I ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing this remarkable individual.

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