[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 4, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING CHIEF ERNIE SANCHEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 4, 2020

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Chief Ernie Sanchez for his exceptional public service to the people of 
Northern California and to honor his retirement after 29 years as a 
California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer.
  Chief Ernie Sanchez was born in East Los Angeles, California. He 
earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Spanish from 
Brigham Young University. Since then, he has dedicated his career to 
improving the community around him. As he rose through the ranks from 
CHP Officer to Chief of the Vallejo Golden Gate Division, he garnered 
the respect of those he worked with as a compassionate and fair leader. 
As Chief, he was committed to the Department's vision and maintained an 
unwavering dedication to serving our community with professionalism. 
This allowed him to gain the support and gratitude of his subordinates, 
peers, allied agency leaders, and members of the public for his 
dedication and expertise.
  Throughout his time as a member of the California Highway Patrol, 
Chief Sanchez was recognized for his hard work and commitment. He was 
awarded the Governor's Employee Safety Award for lowering motorcycle 
involved injury collisions in the Bay Area and the Commissioner's Unit 
Citation for the development of the Office of Inspector General and 
related policies and procedures. In addition, he was a multiple year 
awardee for the California Law Enforcement Challenge, designed to help 
reduce motor vehicle involved injury collisions and lower the Mileage 
Death Rate. Most recently, he lent his support to our community as 
Incident Commander during the devastating Atlas, Tubbs, and Kincade 
fires.
  Madam Speaker, Chief Ernie Sanchez is the kind of citizen we should 
all strive to be. He has made immense contributions throughout his 
career to better our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that 
we honor him here today.

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