[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 148 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER JIM HART

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 23, 2024

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary public 
servant for his superb service to the people of Santa Cruz County, 
California, Sheriff-Coroner Jim Hart.
  A native of Scotts Valley, Jim Hart has served our community with the 
County Sheriff's office for 36 years, beginning as a Deputy in October, 
1988. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1998; to Lieutenant in 2006; 
became Chief Deputy of Corrections in 2011; and was elected Sheriff-
Coroner in 2014. On August 7, 2024, he announced that he will retire on 
December 6, 2024.
  Sheriff Hart proclaims Santa Cruz County as a wonderful place to live 
and work and says he wouldn't trade his career as Sheriff for any 
other, calling it an honor and privilege to serve. During his tenure, 
his leadership brought us through many difficult times including the 
CZU Fire, the COVID-19 pandemic, the killing of Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller 
and the protests following the killing of George Floyd. He served at 
the onset of the fentanyl crisis and formed a team to respond to it, 
and he instituted community policing in the County, advocated for bail 
reform and supported immigrant communities.
  When Sheriff Hart saw the U.S. Capitol being attacked on January 6, 
2021, he called me to make sure I was safe, bringing me great comfort 
as l was hiding with colleagues on that fateful day. I will never 
forget his kind words.
  Sheriff Hart and his wife Jackie are the proud parents of four 
children: Samantha, Elle, Nadene and Noah. He is a graduate of the 
University of Nevada-Reno and has been an adjunct faculty member at 
Cabrillo College and Bethany University.
  Mr. Speaker, l ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in 
honoring this great man of enormous integrity and professionalism and 
wish him every blessing in his retirement. We are a better community 
and a stronger country because of Sheriff Hart's leadership, making him 
a national treasure.

                          ____________________