[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 182 (Thursday, November 14, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1443-E1444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING ROSA EMILIA RODRIGUEZ-VELEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. JENNIFFER GONZALEZ-COLON

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2019

  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, I rise to 
recognize the distinguished career of the honorable Rosa Emilia 
Rodriguez-Velez, on her retirement as U.S. Attorney for the District of 
Puerto Rico.
  The experience and commitment of U.S. Attorney Rodriguez-Velez has 
been vital in the Puerto Rico District. Her record in this office is of 
outstanding performance in the face of the great challenges in the 
fight against violent crime, drug and arms trafficking, national 
security threats, human trafficking, organized crime, illegal entry 
into the U.S., and most notably the fight against public corruption.
  U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez-Velez has served the public 
interest since 1977 in the Puerto Rico Department of Justice and since 
1988 in the U.S. Attorney's Office. In that role she held numerous key 
positions in her career as First Assistant U.S. Attorney,

[[Page E1444]]

Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney, Civil Division Chief, Deputy Chief 
for the White Collar/General Crimes unit, Administrative Officer, High 
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Coordinator and Chairperson, Violent 
Crime Coordinator, Basic Criminal Advocacy Coordinator and Supervisor, 
Public Affairs Officer and District Office Security Manager.
  Ms. Rodriguez-Velez was appointed U.S. Attorney by the Attorney 
General in June 2006 and received a presidential nomination in January 
2007. On October 13, 2007, the seven judges of the United States 
District Court for the District of Puerto Rico unanimously appointed 
Ms. Rodriguez-Velez to serve as United States Attorney for the District 
of Puerto Rico. On October 4, 2011, Ms. Rodriguez-Velez was re-
appointed to a new term as United States Attorney, pursuant to the 
unanimous vote of the Court.
  U.S. Attorney Rodriguez-Velez has implemented numerous initiatives to 
combat drug trafficking and violent crime in Puerto Rico, including 
multiple drug strike forces responsible for over 2,400 arrests; an 
Illegal Firearms and Violence Reduction Initiative, responsible for 
over 500 arrests; and a RICO Unit to prosecute violent drug trafficking 
organizations. She has received numerous awards and commendation 
letters during her years of service from both the Puerto Rico and 
United States Departments of Justice, as well as from state and federal 
law enforcement agencies.
  Her character has been tested many times, often facing unfair 
political attacks and obstruction, especially when addressing the fight 
against the scourge of public corruption, yet she has remained a 
steadfast prosecutor, always serving justice and believing in her oath 
to the U.S. Constitution and Law. Because I can attest to her courage, 
her integrity, her professional excellence and her heartfelt belief in 
justice and American values, I congratulate her on a well and 
faithfully executed career--42 years working in both the Puerto Rico 
and U.S. Departments of Justice, 12 of them as the U.S. District 
Attorney for Puerto Rico.
  I personally admire the courage of Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez and 
recognize her as a role model for women. I thank her for her service 
and, I wish her the best in all her future endeavors.

                          ____________________