[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2511]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RETIREMENT OF TITUSVILLE POLICE CHIEF GARY THOMAS

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I have the deepest respect 
for the law enforcement men and women who are tasked with protecting 
the communities of Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District. It is 
with deep respect that I congratulate Titusville Police Chief Gary 
Thomas on his upcoming retirement.
  Chief Thomas has served his community for nearly 26 years, after 
being hired as a patrolman in 1990. He is credited with helping fight 
back against a rise in methamphetamine production in Titusville, which 
spread through northeastern Pennsylvania, starting in the late 1990s. 
He worked together with State police and the State Attorney General's 
Office to crack down on this plague. More importantly, he enlisted the 
help of the Titusville community to fight back.
  After being promoted to police chief in 2009, he continued the battle 
against drugs--this time, against bath salts and synthetic marijuana--
educating the public on what to look for. The effort got results in the 
form of tips from the community, which helped cut down on abuse.
  Chief Thomas' last day on the job is March 4. I wish him the best of 
luck in retirement, and I commend him for a job well done.

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