[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 197 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H10191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING SHERIFF B.J. BARNES

  (Mr. WALKER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize the service of 
Guilford County's longest-serving sheriff in history, B.J. Barnes.
  Sheriff Barnes is retiring after more than two decades of service to 
the people and to the community of central North Carolina. Beginning in 
1970, Sheriff Barnes felt the call to serve and enlisted in the United 
States Marine Corps at only 19 years old.
  After beginning a career in law enforcement, he was elected sheriff 
in 1994. His reforms to the Guilford County justice system over the 
years have not gone unnoticed, from updating ramshackle jails to 
bringing our county necessary forensic technology, Sheriff Barnes 
always fought, and succeeded, in keeping Guilford County safe.
  His service forever changed our community, and, we, along with his 
peers throughout the State and the country, will always remember his 
relentless dedication, his integrity, and his compassion.
  Twenty-four years and six terms later, Sheriff Barnes retires with an 
outstanding record and will continue to be a source of influence for 
Guilford County.
  Heroes like Sheriff Barnes are the fabric of our community, and I am 
blessed to call him a friend and mentor.

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