[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5727-5728]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING MICHAEL W. DOWNING

  Ms. AYOTTE. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the exceptional 
service and the extraordinary life of Rockingham County High Sheriff 
Michael ``Mike'' W. Downing of Salem, NH, who passed away recently 
following his battle with cancer.
  Sheriff Downing was a knowledgeable, respected and compassionate 
public safety professional, a problem solver, and a concerned community 
member. He was one of a kind, and was beloved by everyone who knew him.
  Raised in Salem, Mike attended Saint Joseph's School and graduated 
from Salem High School in 1972. He went on to serve our Nation as a 
member of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, after which Mike began 
what would be a long career of service to the State of New Hampshire, 
first as a N.H. State trooper after graduating from the 47th New 
Hampshire Police Academy. He continued his career in law enforcement 
service, joining the Salem Police Department where he rose to the rank 
of detective sergeant. Mike was a graduate of the Command Training 
Institute at Babson College, and earned an associate's degree from 
Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor's degree from Franklin 
Pierce College.

[[Page 5728]]

  After his retirement from the Salem Police Department, Mike continued 
his public service through his work in the State legislature. He served 
three terms as a State representative and then served two terms as a 
State senator, where he held the position of senate minority leader. In 
2010, Mike returned to his law enforcement roots and was elected the 
High Sheriff of Rockingham County. Downing was serving in his third 
term as sheriff at the time of his passing.
  In addition to his professional and elected service to the State of 
New Hampshire, Mike was very active in his local community. He gave 
generously of his time and energy as the 301st captain commanding of 
the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, an ASA 
Salem softball coach, a NH Little League coach, a member of the Knights 
of Columbus, trustee of Amvets Post 2, a past president and board 
member of Salem Haven Nursing Home and Silverthorne Adult Daycare, a 
member of the Rockingham County Law Enforcement Association, Rockingham 
County Chiefs of Police Association, International Chiefs of Police 
Association, the National Sheriffs' Association, the NH Sheriffs' 
Association and a founding board member of Isaiah 58, a nonprofit 
organization focused on helping the homeless population of Rockingham 
County.
  Most recently, he was honored as the 2015 recipient of the Chief John 
P. Ganley Community Service Award which is presented to an individual 
``who has exhibited concern, involvement and leadership in the 
community of Salem; while providing inspiration to others, through his 
or her dedication, integrity and courage in the manner exemplified by 
Chief John P. Ganley during his life on earth.''
  Sheriff Downing leaves behind the love of his life, his wife Heidi 
Downing and their five children, Jennifer, Jessica, Kaitlin, Kelsey, 
and Michael along with six grandchildren, Charlotte, Bella, Jacob, 
Logan, TJ, and Max. He also leaves his parents, Delbert and Teresa 
Downing. We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our friend Mike, an 
extraordinary man and proud New Hampshire son who served our State and 
Nation with honor, courage, and dedication. He represented the very 
best of our State, and I ask my colleagues to join me in sending Heidi 
and her family our deepest condolences and our gratitude for Mike's 
life of service to the people of New Hampshire.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator 
Sanders and I be permitted to engage in a colloquy.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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