[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27397]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF ROBERT EUGENE RUARK'S RETIREMENT FROM SOLANO COUNTY 
  HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 5, 2003

  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Robert Ruark, 
whose retirement from his position as Chief Criminal Investigator of 
the Solano County Health and Social Services, Special Investigations 
Bureau will commence on Thursday, November 6, 2003. During his fourteen 
year career with the county, Chief Ruark has established himself as an 
extraordinary leader in law enforcement. At his retirement, his many 
accomplishments and hard work will be recognized within the community 
of his colleagues and friends.
  Robert Eugene Ruark was born in Turlock, California on November 4, 
1946. After graduating from Turlock High School in 1964, Robert went on 
to attend Modesto Community College where he earned an Associate of 
Arts degree in Criminal Justice. He then attended Chapman University in 
1968 where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences. 
Desiring to put his education to work, Mr. Ruark entered the U.S. Army 
as a Military Policeman and then served in the Republic of Vietnam as a 
Military Police Investigator. In 1969, Mr. Ruark graduated from the 
U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Course which allowed him to serve as a 
CID Special Agent until his retirement as a Chief Warrant Officer Four 
(CW4) in 1989.
  In April that same year, he received his appointment as the Criminal 
Investigator II for the Special Investigations Bureau, Solano Health 
and Social Services Department and became a member of the California 
Welfare Fraud Investigators Association. In four short years he was 
promoted to the position of Supervising Criminal Investigator. His 
current rank as Chief Criminal Investigator was received in August of 
2000.
  Robert's dedication to the community is not limited to his work in 
law enforcement. His desire to serve the community as a positive 
influence motivated his ordainment to the priesthood of the Orthodox 
Christian Church in 1996. Upon his retirement from law enforcement, he 
will continue to serve the community as the pastor of St. Timothy 
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, as he has done since January of 
1997. Through his work as pastor he cooperates with a local area food 
bank to distribute food to many of the areas homeless and those living 
at or below the poverty level.
  However, of all his accomplishments he is probably most proud of his 
successful 32 year relationship with his wife, Alida, and his two 
wonderful children: William and Stephanie. Stephanie's daughters, 
Mikayla and Brianna, have further enriched his personal life.
  His fellow employees of the Solano County Health and Social Services, 
Special Investigation Bureau will forever remember Chief Ruark's 
extraordinary leadership and contributions to the community.

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