[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 15750]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      SALUTING SHERIFF KEVIN BEARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Keller) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon to salute one of the 
leaders in my hometown of Orlando, Florida, who has just been 
recognized as America's top cop. It is my happy privilege to announce 
to this Chamber that Orange County, Florida, Sheriff Kevin Beary is the 
winner of the 2003 National Sheriff of the Year award. I was pleased to 
personally recommend my friend Sheriff Beary for this award, and I did 
not say nice things about him just because every time I see him he is 
packing heat.
  Kevin is the fourth generation of the Beary family who have 
selflessly devoted themselves to protecting others. He commands one of 
the largest law enforcement agencies in the southeastern United States. 
He is not only responsible for the safety of 1 million people who live 
in the central Florida area but for the millions of tourists who visit 
places like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in my district 
every year.
  As a member of the House Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security 
Subcommittee, I have relied heavily on his expert advice to help drive 
my law enforcement agenda. Sheriff Beary and I teamed up to protect the 
COPS program and put more police officers on the street. We have worked 
together to build a new Federal courthouse in downtown Orlando designed 
to embassy safety standards, and we have stood together shoulder to 
shoulder against casino gambling and the drug legalization movement in 
Florida. But I think most importantly we have worked together since the 
events of 9-11 to make sure that our first responders have the tools 
they need to protect the people of central Florida and the tourists who 
play in our backyard from those who would plot against our Nation.
  Kevin Beary is everything a sheriff should be. He is a friend to our 
most vulnerable citizens. He is a tireless volunteer in our community, 
and frankly he scares the hell out of the bad guys who would prey on 
our neighborhoods. Love him or fear him, everyone in central Florida 
knows Kevin Beary means business; and in light of this prestigious 
award he has now received, everyone in America knows too.
  When I have a question on an issue facing law enforcement before this 
Congress, the first thing I do is call my sheriff. I am pleased to have 
the 2003 National Sheriff of the Year Kevin Beary on my speed dial. I 
say to my colleagues they should all be so lucky.

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