Congratulating California Highway Patrol Captain Vincent Pagano of Bakersfield on His Retirement

Floor Speech

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Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor California Highway Patrol Captain Vincent Pagano of Bakersfield. Throughout his distinguished career, Captain Pagano has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our community and our country.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Captain Pagano's public service began with his enrollment in the U.S. Navy in 1985. Following his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1989, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical sciences, Captain Pagano served as a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, specializing in anti-submarine warfare and combat search and rescue operations. Captain Pagano served as a Force Protection and Security Office, ensuring security of key military installations, military personnel, and civilians.

Beginning in 1999, Kern County would soon benefit from his Navy learning when Captain Pagano joined the California Highway Patrol, assigned to the Altadena incline. Captain Pagano answered the call of protecting our communities--serving in Buttonwillow, Fresno, and the Grapevine. His leadership and professionalism earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the communities he served, as he was promoted to Sergeant in 2012 and Lieutenant in 2017. From 2019 to 2022, he received his first area command, as Commander in the Fort Tejon Area. Finally, in January of 2022, Pagano was promoted to Captain and Commander of the Bakersfield division of the California Highway Patrol. In this role, he has continued to uphold the highest standards of law enforcement, ensuring the safety and security of the residents of Bakersfield and the millions who traverse California's highways.

Following Pagano's promotion, he immediately launched initiatives to prevent distracted driving deaths and DUIs, and generally encouraging drivers to act more courteously on California's famously busy highways.

California's Central Valley remains beautiful and prosperous, due to the heroism and dedication of people like Captain Pagano, who keep our neighborhoods safe. Captain Pagano's selfless service in both the U.S. Navy and the California Highway Patrol reflects the best of those who wear the uniform. His lifelong embodiment to safety, service, and security, the motto of California Highway Patrol, serves as an example for all who aspire to serve our country and communities with honor.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing our deepest gratitude to Captain Vincent Pagano for his outstanding service to our country and his tireless dedication to public safety. On behalf of the 20th Congressional District of California, I would like to congratulate Captain Pagano for his heroic four-decade career protecting our families and communities and wish him the best in his rightly merited retirement.

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