[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16470]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF EMERALD COAST CRIME STOPPERS

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                            HON. MATT GAETZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2017

  Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the twentieth 
anniversary of the Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers. This organization is 
celebrating 20 years of partnering with the community and local law 
enforcement.
  Twenty years ago, a small group of community leaders and citizens 
attended and formed the nonprofit organization known as Emerald Coast 
Crime Stoppers.
  Launched in 1997, the concept has developed into a combination of 
efforts by local media, businesses, civic and social clubs, law 
enforcement agencies, and the public. Donations of airtime, newspaper 
space, and reward monies have established Crime Stoppers as an 
effective tool to fight crime in our area. Crime Stoppers provides a 
method for local law enforcement to receive information on crimes. 
These efforts increase tips, which in turn increase arrests in our 
community.
  A unique quality of this organization is that it is not a branch of 
any law enforcement agency or local government, but is run by community 
members who graciously volunteer to serve on the Board of Directors.
  I would like to extend my gratitude to all who have served in any 
capacity with this very successful organization. The work that has been 
done by this group has proved to be invaluable to our communities.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged 
to congratulate Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers on their 20th Anniversary.

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