[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14997]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF MICHAEL BRUNICARDI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 9, 2012

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Lieutenant Michael 
Brunicardi, who has retired after devoting more than three decades to 
protecting the citizens of the San Francisco Bay Area.
  Lieutenant Brunicardi graduated from San Jose City College Police 
Academy in 1978. After a brief period working for the San Mateo Police 
Department, Lieutenant Brunicardi went on to Colma, where he protected 
the public as a police officer and sergeant for 8 years. He returned to 
San Mateo in 1987 and served in the San Mateo Police Department for 25 
years. He was promoted to Corporal in 1992, Sergeant in 1994 and 
Lieutenant in 2001.
  Throughout his career Lieutenant Brunicardi has gone above and beyond 
the call of duty, and has dedicated himself to protecting victims and 
young people. He has put his own life on the line for the safety of 
others.
  Lieutenant Brunicardi has received a multitude of awards and 
recognitions for his outstanding service. In 1985, he was awarded the 
Heroism Award from the Peninsula Council of Lion's Clubs for his 
apprehension of an armed and dangerous suspect. He has received 
numerous commendations from the District Attorney's Office for his 
investigative skills in a variety of crimes, including child 
molestation cases. The Downtown San Mateo Association presented him 
with an award for ``Outstanding Dedication'' to the development of the 
family-friendly safety program in a new downtown theater project. In 
Lieutenant Brunicardi's 25-year career with the City of San Mateo he 
amassed more than 100 letters of acknowledgement and thanks from the 
public and city staff because of his integrity and professionalism.
  Community policing involves building lasting relationships and lines 
of communication between police officers and the public. Lieutenant 
Brunicardi has dedicated his career to this type of important police 
work, particularly in areas facing gang violence and other criminal 
activities. He has implemented several neighborhood safety partnership 
programs in cooperation with neighborhood association groups.
  At age 55, Lieutenant Brunicardi is a proud husband and father. He 
has been married to his wife, Valerie, for 20 years and has five 
children: Anthony, Steven, Andrew, Justin and Nicole, who range in age 
from 11 to 27.
  Lieutenant Brunicardi loves working with young adults and children 
and has coached baseball for 25 years. For 10 years he contributed as a 
board member of the Burlingame Youth Baseball Association, and serves 
as that association's president.
  Although Lieutenant Brunicardi is retiring from a long and meaningful 
career as a law enforcement officer, he will continue to play a vital 
role in our community as an associate professor at the College of San 
Mateo. In September, Lieutenant Brunicardi began teaching Criminal 
Justice, Juvenile Justice and Criminal Investigation in this role. 
While Lieutenant Brunicardi feels blessed to be able to work with young 
people in this capacity, his students will benefit most from his 
dynamic personality, his passion for the profession and his expertise 
in the field.
  Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant Brunicardi has devoted his time, energy and 
passion to serving as a leader and a role model in our community. I ask 
that the House of Representatives join me in commending him for his 
extraordinary selflessness and service.