[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 177 (Thursday, December 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING OFFICER CECILE FOCHA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Officer Cecile Focha, whom I have named a 2016 Public Safety Hero of 
the Year for Sonoma County in California's 5th Congressional District. 
This award is given to exceptional members of our community who perform 
beyond their duty as a public servant.
  A native of Oakland, California, Officer Focha received her B.A. in 
Integral Liberal Arts at St. Mary's College and her K-12 Teaching 
Credential at California State University, Hayward. Prior to her work 
in law enforcement, Officer Focha was an elementary school teacher.
  Officer Focha joined the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office in 1998. Over 
the past 18 years, she has served as the first female Detective 
Sergeant in the history of the Office, the supervisor of the Domestic 
Violence/Sexual Assault Detective Unit, and the first Press Information 
Officer for the agency. Officer Focha was instrumental in the 
establishment of the Sonoma County Family Justice Center and is the 
President of the Board of Directors for Verity, Sonoma County's only 
rape crisis center. In recognition of her tremendous service, the 
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office awarded Officer Focha with the Bronze 
Medal of Merit, and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors awarded her 
a Certificate of Commendation for her work with Alive at 25, a model 
teen driving program she helped establish.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Officer Focha for her dedication to our 
community's safety. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that I 
honor her here today.

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