Recognizing Ms. Karen Aponte

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. TORRES of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Karen Aponte on the occasion of her retirement from the Los Angeles Police Department. After 42 years of dedicated civic service to the people and communities of Los Angeles, Ms. Aponte will be deeply missed.

Ms. Aponte's career began in June 1980 with the City of Los Angeles as a parking attendant. In April 1986, she joined the Los Angeles Police Department as a Police Service Representative, where she answered to 9-1-1 emergency calls as a frontline responder to those in need of help. In times of crisis and major events, Ms. Aponte provided consistent and critical support to law enforcement. Ms. Aponte's achievements have resulted in more than 27 well-deserved commendations during her career.

She earned recognition for her performance during the 1992 Civil Unrest, the devasting 1994 earthquake, her professionalism during situations with distressed children, and during the Lakers Championship parade in 2000 when a tactical alert was declared after 250,000 people filled the streets of Los Angeles. During the Democratic National Convention in 2020, Ms. Aponte received praise for her commitment to service excellence.

In 2001 Ms. Aponte was assigned to the Timekeeping Unit where she evolved as the timekeeping subject expert. She worked diligently to ensure the smooth function of the unit as she exceptionally performed all her duties. There was no task too big or too small that Ms. Aponte did not welcome.

For her remarkable accomplishments, it is my honor to recognize Police Service Representative II Karen Aponte. Her decades of public service and commitment to the Department and the people of Los Angeles are worthy of the highest commendation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source