[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 215 (Tuesday, December 14, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9159-S9160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL C. NELSEN

 Mr. LEE. Madam President, it is an honor to stand here today 
to recognize and celebrate the career of Police Chief Michael C. Nelsen 
of the Brigham City Police Department. For the last 42 years, he has 
diligently served and protected the people of Brigham City. His 
positive impact on the lives of many will be remembered as he 
transitions into retirement.
  I wonder if, as a young pre-law student at Rick's College in Rexburg, 
ID, Mike Nelsen ever sat back to imagine the impact his life would have 
on so many others? I wonder if, as a student of criminal, justice 
administration at Brigham Young University, Mike Nelsen ever dreamed of 
leading a police department to new heights and great successes? 
However, I hope that at the sunset of an impressive career, Chief 
Nelsen realizes the significance of the mark he has left on the lives 
of countless others and the new heights and great successes he has 
achieved.
  During his career as a police officer, Chief Nelsen climbed through 
the

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ranks. He rose from corporal, to sergeant, to lieutenant, and--most 
notably--to chief. Yet, despite the grandeur of his rise through the 
ranks, he always remained a faithful and committed public servant. 
Humility, sacrifice, and character have all been exemplified during his 
years of police work.
  Early in his career, Chief Nelsen earned a reputation for being 
willing to go the extra mile. From day l, he set a standard for 
community engagement outside of day to day policing. Perhaps the best 
example of this extracurricular community engagement is Chief Nelsen's 
avid support of the Special Olympics.
  Despite his many responsibilities as a police officer, Chief Nelsen 
has dedicated hours of service to his role as the director of the Box 
Elder Torch Run for the Special Olympics. For his service, he has had 
the honor to run in the International Torch Run for the Special 
Olympics in Alaska and to carry the Olympic Torch for the 2002 Winter 
Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. He has been an emissary of Brigham 
City and of Utah to the world.
  Public servants like Chief Nelsen deserve high praise. Their 
dedicated and faithful service sets an example for those who follow in 
their footsteps. I know that Chief Nelsen will be missed. However, 
thanks to the foundation that Chief Nelsen has laid over the last four 
decades, I have no doubt that the department will continue to flourish.
  I am grateful to Chief Nelsen for the commitment he has shown to a 
difficult, but meaningful job. Without individuals like him willing to 
shoulder this responsibility, our communities would not prosper as they 
do. Both he and his family have faithfully made sacrifices for the good 
of their community for decades. I thank them for their dedication. As 
Chief Nelsen transitions into retirement, I hope he does so knowing 
that his community has prospered as a result of his service and the 
memory of his servant leadership will live on.

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