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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING ROB GIORDANO
______
HON. JARED HUFFMAN
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, February 22, 2019
Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding
accomplishments of Sheriff Rob Giordano on the occasion of his
retirement. Sheriff Giordano has served with distinction over the
course of his twenty-two-year career in law enforcement and was the
leader the public needed during one of our region's most destructive
wildfires to date.
Born in Concord, California, Rob Giordano was working as a mechanic
when he felt a calling to join law enforcement. He began his law
enforcement career in 1989, serving as a police officer for the
Pittsburg Police Department in Contra Costa County. Seven years later,
Officer Giordano moved to Sonoma County to serve as a Deputy for the
Sonoma County Sheriff's office. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2003,
where he supervised the main office patrol, the Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault Unit, and the Violent Crimes Unit. Sergeant Giordano
continued to prove himself as a leader and was promoted to Lieutenant
only three years later, where he managed the Investigations Bureau and
Internal Affairs Bureau, among others. Lieutenant Giordano was promoted
again in 2012, this time to Captain of the Field Services Section. In
2014, after eighteen years with the department, Captain Giordano was
promoted to Assistant Sheriff.
By August of 2017, Assistant Sheriff Giordano was promoted to Interim
Sheriff when the seated sheriff stepped down for health reasons. His
status as Sheriff was made official by the Board of Supervisors shortly
thereafter, and he was appointed to serve the remainder of the previous
Sheriff's term. Sheriff Giordano never sought the role, and in fact, he
pledged to not seek election to the position following to the term's
conclusion. He wanted to ensure continuity for the department and the
public prior to the next election. However, Sheriff Giordano probably
didn't expect was that within two months, his leadership significantly
changed the way the community engages with the Sheriff's Office.
On October 8, 2017, one of the most destructive fires in California
history caused in Sonoma County. Upon receiving the news, Sheriff
Giordano and his team sprung into action, not only saving lives but
actively communicating with a frightened public. To many watching the
events unfold from afar, Sheriff Giordano became the face of the
community, holding press conferences daily while the fires were still
being contained. His actions as a communicator, along with the office's
increased use of social media not only helped calm a community in shock
but also saved lives by sharing critical information in a timely
manner. By the time the fires were contained, many called for Sheriff
Giordano to forgo his initial pledge and seek election to continue on
as the county's Sheriff. Sheriff Giordano remained committed to his
pledge and instead focused on getting the Sheriff's Office ready for
the transition to new leadership while continuing to build good will
between the department and the public.
Madam Speaker, Sheriff Giordano's law enforcement career is a
sterling example of leadership that prioritizes service to the public
above personal gain. Over the course of his time with the Sonoma County
Sheriff's Office, he has not only improved the performance of the
divisions and units he has overseen, but has also greatly improved the
way the community engages with law enforcement. Therefore, please join
me in honoring Sheriff Giordano on the occasion of his retirement and
wishing him success on his future endeavors
____________________