[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25060]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF JOHN MARHEFKA, PENNSYLVANIA D.A.R.E. OFFICER OF THE YEAR

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                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Patrolman John 
Marhefka of Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania. He was recently named 
Pennsylvania's top Drug Awareness and Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) 
Officer of the Year.
  For twelve years, Marhefka has been dedicated to preventing illegal 
drug usage through D.A.R.E., a program where police officers go into 
schools to teach young people about the dangers of illegal drugs. The 
D.A.R.E. program encourages students to make good life decisions by 
warning them about the risks of substance abuse and violence. The 
relationships that develop between the officers and their students open 
new lines of communication and help to strengthen community ties.
  While there are more than 1,000 D.A.R.E. officers throughout 
Pennsylvania, Marhefka is one that goes above and beyond what is 
expected of him. Over his time as a D.A.R.E. officer, he has taught 
over 700 Burrell students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Marhefka 
makes a genuine effort to form a relationship with each of his 
students. He is known for his participation in recess and school family 
fun nights. Most importantly, Marhefka gives students the opportunity 
to get to know him, increasing their comfort with local authorities and 
their trust in the police.
  Madam Speaker, Marhefka's dedication to the D.A.R.E. program has 
given students the knowledge and confidence they need to avoid the 
temptation of peer pressure. I commend him for his dedication to the 
prevention of illegal drug use and for his outstanding commitment to 
promoting safety in his community.

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