[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 97 (Monday, June 5, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING TOM LIN AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR ASIAN 
              AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 5, 2023

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, on May 26, 2023 I recognized Tom Lin as a 
distinguished leader in Central Florida for Asian American and Pacific 
Islander Heritage Month. Tom's family origins are from the Tai Po and 
Yuen Long districts of Kowloon in Hong Kong, China. His father was a 
scientist in the U.S government who helped direct him to a career path. 
Tom's academic studies included police science, criminology, and 
psychology. Tom is married to his wife Paula and has four children.
  Tom started in the U.S. government in 1978 working at the FBI in 
Washington, D.C. He eventually transitioned to law enforcement in 1982 
at the Alexandria City Police Department, where stigmatism towards 
Asians still continued in society. Tom left Virginia and the D.C. area 
in 1988 and was hired at the Orange County Sheriff's Office, where he 
presently works.
  With over 40 years in law enforcement, his work experience has 
included general police duties and court appearances. He also worked in 
vessel handling to include airboats in the Marine unit. Tom was a 
master diver on a dive/recovery unit, an aviation flight officer, and a 
fugitive/warrant agent. He also worked in vehicular and economics 
investigations. Tom's last assignment was a school resource officer for 
five years and was certified in crisis intervention and firearms 
instructing.
  In 2022, at the direction of Sheriff John Mina, the inception of the 
OCSO Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Liaison Group came to 
fruition. Tom accepted a team leader role which continues to this day, 
with visions of building a stronger relationship between law 
enforcement and the AAPI community. His success has always been 
predicated on the strong leadership ranks of the AAPI community that he 
serves, striving to recognize the growing AAPI community and safety 
needs. In Orlando/Orange County, Florida the AAPI community numbers 
around 6 percent of the 1.4 million population, with the state of 
Florida at 2 percent of 21 million and rising. The outreach and 
networking through public events had been invaluable.
  Tom has been affiliated and member of the Asian American Chamber of 
Commerce for 15 years and currently serving on the Board of Directors 
for the 2023-2024 term. He has worked in conjunction with the Orange 
County Mayor's Office's Orange County Asian Committee, among various 
other AAPI organizations, to promote further expansion of business 
networking initiatives and resources which better resonate with the 
community. Tom looks forward to being a continued resource for AAPI 
community members in Orange County and Central Florida.

                          ____________________