[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 869]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF SARAH JEFFERSON SIMON

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 12, 2017

  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sarah 
Jefferson Simon. Born and raised in Orange, Texas on November 26, 1961, 
Sarah was a lifelong Texan.
  In 1989, Sarah joined the Orange Police Department and quickly rose 
through the ranks as she put her life on the line to protect those of 
us who call East Texas home. After only one year as a Patrol Officer, 
she was promoted to the Detective Division and given the rank of 
Detective-Sergeant. Sarah was the first African-American woman to 
attain this esteemed role within the City of Orange Police Department. 
Sarah had a God-given gift for her craft, and was often called upon by 
other law enforcement agencies to break cold cases and execute some of 
the region's most challenging criminal investigations.
  It is no surprise that, with such a heart for the community, Sarah 
was also deeply involved with the local school district as a tutor, and 
served as a Trustee of the West Orange-Cove school district. Her 
children, Diztorsha and Herman, have continued her legacy of public 
service as educators.
  Sarah was a woman of God, a pillar of faith for those in her 
community and to those in her care. For over 30 years, she attended 
Starlight Church of God in Christ and richly gave of her time and 
talent in service of the Church and its parishioners. Her son, Herman, 
pastors the faithful in Bon Weir.
  Sarah went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, January 6, 
2017. She will be deeply missed by those whose lives she touched. My 
prayers and condolences go out to Sarah's loving family, and her 
children, Diztorsha, and Herman. Sarah will be sorely missed, but her 
legacy will certainly live on.

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