[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 36 (Monday, February 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING TAMPA'S LOCAL TRAILBLAZER, ROOSEVELT ``ROCKY'' RATLIFF, 
                  III, IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 28, 2022

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, this Black History Month, I am 
proud to celebrate local trailblazers who have dedicated their lives to 
lifting up our community. I rise today in immense gratitude of 
Roosevelt ``Rocky'' Ratliff, III, a lifetime public servant. Born in 
Perry, Fla., at 2 pounds and 11 ounces, he gained the name Rocky by his 
delivery nurse because he was a fighter, despite his low birthweight. 
His parents, Roosevelt Jr. and Gloria, taught him that hard work and 
doing your very best in everything you do pays off. He moved to Tampa 
in 1984 and received his bachelor's degree in criminology from St. Leo 
University--becoming the first in his family to attain a college 
degree. He also attended Bethune Cookman University, where he was a 
member of the Marching Wildcats Band.
  Mr. Ratliff joined the Tampa Police Department in 1998, patrolling 
the seven public housing properties that existed at the time. He led 
with his ``Boots on the Ground'' philosophy that stressed the 
importance of patrolling neighborhoods on foot to deter crime and 
foster invaluable relationships with the neighbors. This philosophy 
helped him work his way up the ranks to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, 
and captain before retiring as a major in 2018. He had a reputation for 
building strong community relationships throughout the City of Tampa. 
Because of his initiative, our communities became a safer place to 
live, work and play.
  Major Ratliff pioneered the Community Oriented Program (COPs) in all 
three Districts and helped resolve community complaints and 
disturbances in city parks by serving as the liaison to the Parks & 
Recreation Department. After 30 years, Major Ratliff retired but 
continued his community involvement through mentoring. He is a member 
of the Pi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. that started a 
mentoring program at Just Elementary School for 20 young men in the 
fourth and fifth grades called the Gentlemen's Club. This program is 
vital in helping young men develop the proper skills needed to guide 
them throughout life and furthering their education. In addition, he is 
CEO of Strategic Community Engagement Consulting, LLC. He, along with 
Derrick Brooks Charities, developed a Community-Police Relationships 
(CPR) Zoom Forum to focus on addressing concerns between law 
enforcement and our Black and Brown communities. The Forum has been a 
major success throughout Florida. For decades, City of Tampa and 
Hillsborough County employees supported an annual local MLK tribute 
through a scholarship fund and downtown march, and Major Ratliff was 
part of that effort during his tenure at the Tampa Police Department. 
In 2018, he became a member of the MLK Parade Foundation. Today, the 
MLK Foundation hosts one of the largest MLK parades in the southeastern 
United States and engages with businesses, community organizations and 
entertainment--over the past few years, numerous bands from 
Historically Black Colleges & Universities have participated in the 
annual parade. In fact, 2022 was the first time ever that the largest 
HBCU bands in the country, Florida's own Bethune Cookman University and 
Florida A&M University, marched together.
  Major Ratliff is married to Antoinette and is the proud father to 
four daughters, Tyrhonza, Bianca, Asia and Markayla.
  Major Ratliff has always answered the call--the call to keep our 
community safe and the call to preserve our community's African 
American history. Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful nation and 
Tampa Bay community, I am proud to recognize the service and leadership 
of Major Roosevelt ``Rocky'' Ratliff, III.

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