Dennis Cardoza

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 43, I was unavoidably detained during the rollcall vote. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Merced County Sheriff Gary T. Carlson. Sheriff Carlson was born in Iowa and raised in Illinois and graduated from Cathedral High School in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 18, Gary joined the United States Air Force and after basic training was stationed at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California. After over two years at Castle, he received orders to Vietnam. Gary returned to the U.S. in April 1970 and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant at McCord Air Force Base in Seattle, Washington. Gary again returned to Merced, California and attended Merced College studying in the area of Sociology. He applied for and was hired as a Merced County Deputy Sheriff in October 1971. His first assignment was working in the Jail Division. Sixteen months later, he was assigned to the midnight shift Patrol Division, then to the Detective Division. Gary was promoted to Sheriff Sergeant in 1978. Since then, he has worked in Corrections, Narcotics and Detectives, along with Administrative Services. Gary was then promoted to Commander in May 1991. In addition to his work at the Department, Gary has taught Administration of Justice classes at Merced College and possesses a lifetime teaching credential for California Community College in the Law Enforcement Field. He has a Bachelor's Degree from Chapman University in Administration of Justice and graduated with honors. Gary was appointed to the Office of Sheriff-Coroner of Merced County by the Merced County Board of Supervisors and took office on May 5, 2001. He has three children, Juliette, Matthew and Christian. He is married to his wife, Linn. It is my honor and privilege to recognize Sheriff Gary Carlson for his service to the Merced community and to our nation. Throughout his career, he has distinguished himself as a leader and mentor. It is my honor to call Sheriff Carlson my friend. I am delighted to recognize his service and his retirement as I wish he and Linn all the best in their future.