[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Pages 21984-21985]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO OFFICER LONNIE TABRON

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise to make a floor statement on behalf 
of a member of our Senate family.
  I, like so many other Senators, come into a particular entrance here 
in the Senate as I drive in in the morning.
  I rise today to pay tribute to Officer Lonnie Tabron. Officer Tabron 
retired from the Capitol Police on Saturday, October 1, 2005, having 
completed 22 years of distinguished service since his first day on the 
force, May 4, 1983.
  Lonnie Tabron was born in Washington, DC, in July 1949, and he 
received his education in the District's public school system, where he 
always strived for excellence. After graduating from high school, 
Lonnie served the United States of America in the Armed Forces in 
Vietnam. He ably answered the call to duty and throughout his term in 
the Army, rising to the rank of sergeant, he represented our Nation 
with valor and integrity.
  During his distinguished career as a Capitol police officer, Lonnie 
worked 21 years on the Senate side of the Capitol. With his assignment 
to the ``barricade,'' as it is referred to, on the Delaware and C 
Street entrance, Lonnie became friends with my colleagues and staff 
alike.
  In the many years I entered that entrance, this fine man--whether it 
was bitter cold or intensely hot, raining or sleeting--always 
approached my vehicle, as all others, with a big smile on his face. In 
those days, when I guess my spirits were low, as I came, he lifted 
those spirits. He always had a warm smile and an enthusiastic ``Good 
morning, Senator.'' It has been my pleasure to receive those greetings, 
as I say, these many years. I shall dearly miss him.
  Lonnie Tabron's philosophy in life consists of three main principles, 
and he sought to apply these important lessons to his career with the 
Capitol Police. Every day, Lonnie has remembered to treat others as he 
would like to be treated, to speak to others as he would like them to 
speak to him, and

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to respect others with the same measure of honor that he would expect 
from them. I believe these three traits are exceptionally appropriate, 
and Lonnie certainly embodied his beliefs in his service on Capitol 
Hill.
  In his 22 years on the Capitol Police Force, Lonnie has demonstrated 
a willingness to help anyone who was in need. I appreciate very much 
his dedication to his job and his remarkable professionalism. As he 
enters his well-deserved retirement, Lonnie will be dearly missed by 
those who have had the opportunity to make his acquaintance. It is my 
honor and privilege to commend his outstanding service today and to 
wish him well in the years ahead.
  I thank my senior staff member, Awilda Euill, who is with me on the 
floor today, a longtime admirer of Lonnie's. She assisted me in the 
preparation of this statement.

                          ____________________