[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 27218]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL H. DETTMER

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to a fine 
public servant, Michael H. Dettmer, on his retirement.
  Since January of 1994, Mike has served diligently as the United 
States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan. During his seven-
year tenure, his office obtained more than 2700 convictions and helped 
lead numerous crime fighting initiatives in the District involving 
Federal law enforcement's support, leadership and participation.
  Among his impressive accomplishments are the task forces and 
partnerships he helped create and foster to combat drugs and violent 
crime. A few of those specialized partnerships are the Methcathinone 
Task Force, the Benton Harbor Violent Crime Task Force, the Health Care 
Fraud Task Force, the Western Michigan Environmental Task Force and 
Project Exile.
  Mike is also to be credited for reinvigorating the Law Enforcement 
Coordinating Committee/Victim-Witness unit of the U.S. Attorney's 
Office. Since 1994, this unit has adopted an elementary school in the 
Grand Rapids public school system, participated in the D.A.R.E (Drug 
Abuse Resistance Education) and D.E.F.Y (Drug Education For Youth) 
programs, and sponsored more than 80 training programs covering all 
aspects of law enforcement. In addition, under Mike's leadership, four 
additional sites to the Weed and Seed Program have been created, making 
the Western District of Michigan's program one of the largest 
initiatives among any Federal District in the United States.
  In recognition of his efforts, in 1998, Mike was honored by the 
Department of Justice Programs Director and Assistant Attorney General 
Laurie Robinson for his work in the area of crime prevention and 
reduction. In addition, in the year 2000, Mike was honored by the 
national Executive Office of Weed and Seed with it's ``Creating Healthy 
Communities'' Award and by the City of Benton Harbor with the 
presentation of its ``Key to the City'' Award.
  Of course, his many achievements could not have been attained without 
the love and support of his wife of more than 30 years, Teckla, and 
their children, Janna and Bryn. Mr. President, I know that the members 
of the Senate will join me in congratulating Mike on a job well-done 
and thanking him for his service to the people of Michigan.

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