[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16632]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO VINCENT P. FARRI

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I wish to commend Mr. Vincent P. Farri on 
his promotion to Lieutenant with the United States Capitol Police. Mr. 
Farri, a native of Maryland, joined the Capitol Police on January 31, 
1989. After initial training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training 
Center he worked with the Capitol Division Building Patrol, and 
performed general duties until 1993. In 1993, Mr. Farri was assigned to 
the uniform protective detail for the President pro tempore of the 
Senate. I came to know Mr. Farri during this time and observed that on 
a daily basis he executed his duties in a highly professional, diligent 
and courteous manner.
  In 1998, Mr. Farri served as a senior patrol officer in the Capitol 
Building, and occasionally worked as an acting sergeant, making rounds 
and supporting officers at their posts. While performing in this 
capacity, Vincent Farri distinguished himself on July 24, 1998. On that 
fateful day, an armed assailant entered the Capitol and suddenly took 
the lives of two Capitol Policemen. Officer Farri, hearing shots from 
the floor above, immediately ran to the scene where he came upon the 
fallen officers, and assisted in apprehending the gunman. All those who 
work in and visit the Capitol owe deep gratitude to the police men and 
women who serve and protect us, and we are especially grateful for the 
service rendered by Vincent and the sacrifice of his fellow officers on 
that day.
  In September, 1998, Mr. Farri was promoted to the rank of Sergeant 
and worked with the First Responder Unit of the Capitol Division for 
approximately 10 years. His collateral duties included training junior 
officers and serving with the Capitol Police Alert Team. In connection 
with his promotion to Lieutenant, Mr. Farri has been assigned to the 
Capitol Police Command Center. In this position, he provides guidance 
to officers in the field and serves as a liaison between the offices of 
the Chief of the Capitol Police and the Sergeants at Arms of the House 
and the Senate.
  In 1946, during a lecture at the University of Chicago, Senator J. 
William Fulbright stated, ``The legislator is an indispensable guardian 
of our freedom.'' I believe all Senators will agree that the U.S. 
Capitol Police are indispensable guardians of all who serve in and work 
for the United States Congress. Mr. Farri's 19 years of service have 
been an important part of that protection. I sincerely congratulate 
Lieutenant Vincent Farri on his promotion and assignment, and further 
extend my congratulations and warm wishes to Christina, his wife of 15 
years, his two sons, Richard, age 11, and Paul, age 7, as well as to 
all of Vincent's family, including his dear mother, Mrs. Dorothy Farri.

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