February 25, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 34 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING STEPHEN PHILIP SPERNAK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2019

  Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the distinguished 
public service career of Mr. Stephen Philip Spernak. Mr. Spernak has 
dedicated over 20 years to serving and benefitting our community in 
Orange County. In 1982 Mr. Spernak began working for the Cypress Police 
Department, and here is where his strong leadership and hard work began 
to take notice.
  Mr. Spernak served 14 years with the Cypress Police Department, 
during this time he was named Officer of the Year in 1988 and received 
the Medal of Valor in 1993 for rescuing an infant from a burning 
structure. Officer Spernak was nationally recognized by Mothers Against 
Drunk Driving (MADD) in 1990 for creating a drunk driving education 
program for teens, which is still used today. MADD recognized Mr. 
Spernak as Officer of the Year in 1989 and he has since served as a 
spokesman and lecturer for MADD for 24 years. He also created and 
launched a notable public affairs program related to crime prevention, 
drunk driving, traffic safety, and neighborhood watch through public 
appearances and cable TV. Mr. Spernak has also served as an Orange 
County Sheriff Reserve Deputy.
  Outside of law enforcement, Mr. Spernak acted as Executive Assistant 
and Policy Advisor to Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer during his 
two terms in office. In these roles he aided the Local Agency Formation 
Commission (LAFCO) in their efforts to incorporate Rancho Santiago 
Margarita into cityhood. His successful role led him to serve as Deputy 
City Manager of this new city in 2000.
  While serving the Orange County Supervisors, he played a lead role on 
Supervisor Spitzer's staff, serving as his Southern California Liaison. 
In this role he collaborated with anti-airport committees and 
successfully defeated a plan to build an international airport at El 
Toro Marine Air Corps Station.

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