[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13242]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO DESCHUTES COUNTY SHERIFF LES STILES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2007

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
great American, a dedicated Oregonian, and a tremendous public servant: 
former Deschutes County Sheriff Les Stiles. Sheriff Stiles retired last 
month, and tomorrow night his many years of achievements on behalf of 
the residents of Central Oregon will be celebrated at a public event in 
Bend, OR. Sheriff Stiles dedicated his career to keeping the city of 
Bend and Deschutes County a safe and desirable place to live and visit.
  Sheriff Stiles has always exuded an interest in public policy and 
making our communities better and safer. His commitment to our country 
dates back to his service with the U.S. Army where he was commissioned 
as a second lieutenant with the Corps of Engineers. Les also served 
with the U.S. Army Reserves as a captain in the infantry from 1968 
until 1974. After serving in defense of the United States of America, 
Les turned toward educational pursuits that would provide him with the 
knowledge that, complemented with his life experience, would ultimately 
allow him to better serve the citizens of Oregon.
  In 1974, Les received a bachelor's degree in English from Illinois 
State University. From there, he went on to earn a masters degree in 
public administration from the University of Northern Colorado. In 
1982, Les focused exclusively on law enforcement and completed the 
grueling training session at the FBI National Academy's 128th session. 
Madam Speaker, this was not the end of the sheriff's commitment to 
education. Later in life he graduated from the National Sheriffs 
Institute and in 2005 he graduated from the FBI Executive Leadership 
Program. He spent 15 years teaching at Central Oregon Community College 
and was always willing to address a community group on a pending issue.
  Madam Speaker, the city of Bend, OR, received great fortune when Les 
and his family moved to the beautiful central Oregon region after his 
training at the FBI Academy. During 25 years of law enforcement in 
central Oregon, Les served first as a patrolman, eventually as Bend's 
chief of police, and ultimately as the sheriff of Deschutes County. 
Sheriff Stiles has been a strong advocate in combating the scourge of 
methamphetamine and its devastating impact on communities across the 
country. Sheriff Stiles quickly recognized the significant harm and 
damage this terrible poison inflicts on families and communities and 
was a real leader in bringing the problems associated with 
methamphetamine use to the forefront and attention of the general 
public. He's been diligent in his efforts to get this deadly drug off 
the streets, a vocal proponent and promoter of prevention efforts, and 
tireless in his efforts to support and promote treatment programs for 
those in desperate need of help.
  My colleagues, when Les Stiles took office as the sheriff of 
Deschutes County, he inherited quite a mess. His predecessor pled 
guilty to Federal charges of embezzlement. Under Les's leadership, the 
county made great progress in correcting the problems of the past. 
Sheriff Stiles helped restore public trust and once again brought honor 
to the position of sheriff. He restored fiscal restraint and helped 
stabilize funding for a department that otherwise would have lost 
significant public services this past year.
  Today I illustrate but a few of the tremendous successes Sheriff 
Stiles achieved over a long and distinguished career. I appreciate my 
colleagues joining me in thanking Sheriff Stiles for all he's done on 
behalf of the people of Deschutes County, the Second Congressional 
District and the great State of Oregon. I wish him and his wife, Carol, 
many good days ahead with their family, complete with many hours of 
good fishing for the sheriff.

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