[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4121]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF SERGEANT ALEX SAAVEDRA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2002

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Alex 
Saavedra for over 25 years of dedicated service to the public. He 
retired from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office on March 1, 2001, 
and was recognized for his many contributions to New Jersey on April 3, 
2002, at The Empire Club in Little Ferry, New Jersey.
  Starting out as a patrolman for the Union City Police Department in 
1974, Mr. Saavedra quickly climbed through the ranks; in 1977, he 
served as President of the Policeman's Benevolent Association (PBA) 
Local 67. In 1983, he worked as an investigator in the Bergen County 
Prosecutor's Office in the Grand Jury Section; in 1984, he was 
transferred to the Sex Crime/Child Abuse Section; in 1988, he became 
Senior Investigator; and in 1989, he was transferred to the Criminal 
Investigations Section. From 1990 through 1992, Mr. Saavedra served as 
Vice President of the PBA Local 221, and, in 1991, returned to the 
Grand Jury Squad; in 1997, he was appointed Sergeant, and, in 1998, was 
transferred to the Narcotics Task Force. In 2000, he began his last 
assignment in the Fugitive Squad of the Bergen County Prosecutor's 
Office.
  Over the course of his law enforcement career, Alex Saavedra received 
the following notable distinctions: Silver Life Member Award, 
Exceptional Duty Medal, Certificate of Commendation, and Certificates 
of Appreciation from the Kiwanis Club International, The Lions Club 
International, The Bergen County Police Academy, and The Bergen County 
Board of Chosen Freeholders.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Alexander Saavedra 
for a career devoted to the safety and well being of the citizens of 
New Jersey. His selfless service will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________