[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 138 (Tuesday, August 23, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING SHERRI VANNEST

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 23, 2022

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Sherri Vannest in recognition of her 31-year career dedicated to public 
safety.
  Records and Communications Supervisor Sherri Vannest joined the 
Clearlake Police Department in 1991. In the Department, she served as 
an Office Assistant, Confidential Secretary and Secretary to the Chief 
of Police.
  During the Great Recession in 2009, Sherri was laid off, but 
undeterred in her desire to serve, she returned in 2010 to the 
Clearlake Police Department as a dispatcher. She went on to earn her 
Dispatcher Basic, Intermediate and Advanced certificates from the 
California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. In 2014, 
Sherri was promoted to the position of Records and Communications 
Supervisor.
  Sherri has also taken on other important assignments throughout her 
career. As a notary public and proctor for the Police Officer Standards 
and Training (POST) entry level testing for dispatchers and police 
officers, she was directly involved in the hiring of the many people 
who have served the agency. Sherri managed numerous grants, including 
the Bulletproof Vest Partnership grant, which has helped make our 
officers safer in instances of gun violence. As the de-facto technology 
coordinator, Sherri kept the computers running and ensured personnel 
were knowledgeable and supported in their use.
  Sherri took a lead role in the department's transition into a state-
funded 9-1-1 public safety answering point, which brought the level of 
9-1-1 service and accessibility to the standard enjoyed elsewhere in 
the state. Sherri has been a consistent and strong advocate for the 
dispatchers she leads.
  Sherri decided to enter a much-deserved retirement on August 5, 2022, 
so she could spend more time with her family and working on her farm. 
She will be remembered for her considerable amount of service to the 
public.
  Madam Speaker, it is evident that Sherri Vannest has worked endlessly 
to serve and support safety within the community of Clearlake. 
Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

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