[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24120]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       IN TRIBUTE TO VENTURA, CALIFORNIA, POLICE CHIEF MIKE TRACY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2004

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mike Tracy, a 
Ventura, California, native who joined the Ventura Police Department as 
a patrol officer in 1975 and who has been chief of police since 
February 1999. After a distinguished career protecting and nurturing 
his hometown, he will retire on December 4.
  Mike Tracy is a seasoned law enforcement officer with a reputation 
for innovation and community outreach.
  During the 24 years in which he worked his way up the ranks from 
officer to police chief, Mike Tracy worked in or was in command of 
every aspect of the department, including patrol, detectives, 
administration, training and crime prevention. That experience gave him 
an insight into his department that few chiefs achieve.
  At the same time, Mike Tracy earned a reputation far beyond city 
boundaries as someone in the forefront of law enforcement who reached 
out to other departments to share resources and knowledge.
  Under his leadership, the department initiated the Crisis 
Intervention Team program, which trains personnel to better deal with 
the mentally ill and individuals in crisis--a program that subsequently 
was adopted countywide. He was the chief architect of Ventura's 
Community Problem Oriented Policing Program and instrumental in 
establishing four police storefronts and acquiring several state grants 
for gang violence suppression and school safety.
  Equally important, Mike Tracy continued to contribute to his 
community outside the walls of the Ventura Police Department. In 
addition to his involvement with the Police Activities League, Mike has 
also worked with the Boys & Girls Club and Salvation Army. He has run 
in several marathons, the Special Olympics Torch Run and the Baker to 
Vegas run.
  His wife, Linda, recently retired as an elementary school teacher. 
Their son Matthew is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and lives 
in Arizona with his wife, Christine, and their 3-year-old son, Nathan.
  Mike and Linda plan to stay in Ventura and remain active in the 
community. His continued support will be appreciated.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating 
Ventura Police Chief Mike Tracy on his retirement; will thank him for a 
lifetime of dedication to his profession and community; and wish him 
many years of health and prosperity, both for him and his family.

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