[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 164 (Tuesday, September 22, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF U.S. CAPITOL POLICE SERGEANT JUAN CARDENAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID J. TRONE

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 22, 2020

  Mr. TRONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career of 
U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Juan Cardenas, badge No. 3793, who is 
retiring this month after thirty-two years of service.
  For nearly twelve years, Cardenas has served as a Sergeant in the 
First Responders Unit. During this time, he has managed the mountain 
bike and First Responders' training programs that serve to protect 
Members of Congress during normal and emergency situations and acted as 
a supervisor in charge of motorcade operations for the President, Vice 
President, and Heads of State arriving at the Capitol. Sergeant 
Cardenas worked on projects of the utmost importance, including the 
State of the Union and the last three Presidential Inaugurations.
  Sergeant Cardenas's success was grounded in his unwavering dedication 
and exceptional skill. From 2000 to 2008, Sergeant Cardenas was a 
supervisor in charge of the Patrol Mobile Response Division, and before 
that, Police Officer First Class in Communications Section 3. However, 
Sergeant Cardenas's life of service did not begin with the U.S. Capitol 
Police: Sergeant Cardenas first served his country in the United States 
Air Force, where he was selected for Special Air Mission and provided 
security to the Presidential aircraft for then-Vice President George 
H.W. Bush.
  Throughout his career, Sergeant Cardenas has led by example as a 
friendly but resolute face on the Capitol grounds and beyond. Time and 
time again, Sergeant Cardenas has established himself as an expert, 
particularly due to his role in helping the U.S. Capitol Police 
establish a well-executed and safe motorcade operation. His ability and 
commitment showed every single day, whether he was managing a 
motorcade, searching for a lost child, apprehending a suspect, or 
delivering a hot meal or new shoes to a homeless veteran. Sergeant 
Cardenas has proven himself to be a man his colleagues and our country 
can rely on.
  Over the years, Sergeant Cardenas has been showered with awards and 
commendation, including a Blue Badge Medal, one of the Department's top 
five honors. In 2004, Sergeant Cardenas received accolades for creating 
a child safety seat program and, in 1998, he received the Association 
of Public-Safety Communications Officials telecommunicator of the year 
award for his role as a dispatcher during the shooting of U.S. Capitol 
Police Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson. While he is 
clearly reluctant to retire, it should be noted that Sergeant Cardenas 
has given a great deal to the Force, suffering serious injuries in a 
1992 motorcycle accident as a Private on Patrol Division.
  Please join me in thanking Sergeant Juan Cardenas for his incredible 
service to the U.S. Capitol Police, the Congress of the United States, 
and to our Nation.

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