[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15687-15688]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         THE RETIREMENT OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF LARRY SMITH

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise to reflect on the 
distinguished career of

[[Page 15688]]

Riverside County Sheriff Larry Smith, who will retire later this year. 
Sheriff Smith is also the immediate past president of the California 
State Sheriff's Association. The people of Riverside County, his 
colleagues and admirers will celebrate his career on August 9.
  During Sheriff Smith's extraordinary 36-year record of service to law 
enforcement, he has held numerous positions and has achieved many 
important accomplishments. He served as Riverside County's Search and 
Rescue Coordinator and commanded the Department's SWAT team before 
working as chief deputy sheriff. Thanks to Sheriff Smith's leadership 
and vision during his tenure as chief deputy sheriff, the Riverside 
County Corrections system is one of the largest in the United States.
  Sheriff Smith was elected to serve as Riverside County Sheriff in 
1994 and was reelected to serve a second term in 1998. During Sheriff 
Smith's tenure, Riverside County saw a dramatic decrease in crime. 
Sheriff Smith was instrumental in the creation of the Ben Clark Public 
Safety Training Center. He collaborated with federal, state and local 
legislators to establish the facility, which provides valuable training 
for law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics. As I have 
seen for myself, it is truly a model for public safety training centers 
throughout the nation.
  In addition to his tremendous commitment to his career, Sheriff Smith 
is an exemplary community leader. He has been active in the American 
Heart Association, the United Way of the Inland Empire and the Debbie 
Chisholm Memorial Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving 
the quality of life for terminally ill children.
  I am proud to add my words of commendation to the praise and 
recognition Sheriff Smith has received throughout his respected career. 
I extend to him my sincere congratulations for his countless 
contributions to the force and to the broader community. Riverside 
County is a safer and better place because of his fine leadership. 
Although Sheriff Smith will be greatly missed, his work continues to 
benefit Riverside County. I wish him a wonderful retirement.

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