The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“HONORING STANLEY ELLSWORTH PETERSON” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H1020-H1021 on Feb. 29, 2012.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING STANLEY ELLSWORTH PETERSON
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa
(Mr. Boswell) for 5 minutes.
Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Speaker, today I stand before the 112th Congress to recognize and honor Mr. Stanley E. Peterson for his 40 years of service to the United States as an officer in the United States Navy, and as a supervisor in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and as the chief of police in Youngstown, Ohio.
My intention is to enter into the Congressional Record the true history of this great American patriot and dismiss the lies and innuendoes told by an expelled former Member, dismissed by the 107th Congress for his conviction in Federal court of taking bribes and kickbacks.
Stanley E. Peterson was the youngest recruit to the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Director J. Edgar Hoover in 1947. Like his fellow special agents, he lived his life according to the motto of the FBI:
``Fidelity, Bravery and Integrity,'' and its core values: rigorous obedience to the Constitution of the United States; respect for the dignity of those protected; compassion; fairness; uncompromising personal integrity and institutional integrity; accountability by accepting responsibility for his actions and decisions, as well as consequences for his actions and decisions; leadership, both personal and professional.
Stan Peterson--he was often called Stan--was an intelligent, disciplined, legendary investigator renowned for his likability and tenacity in his work. When organized crime and its surrogates attacked him, he did not compromise; instead, he protected ongoing investigations, remaining loyal to the core values of the FBI up to the day he died, December 31, 2001, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Stanley Ellsworth Peterson was born July 24, 1923, to Eben Caleb and Lutie Strandquist Peterson in Glencoe, Minnesota. His grandparents and their cousins emigrated from Sweden before the turn of the century, looking for opportunities in the United States. Like so many others, the Peterson family struggled during the Great Depression in southern Minnesota. His father, an honored combat veteran of World War I, farmed and drove a delivery truck to keep his family from receiving welfare. His mother taught him humility, honesty, faithfulness, and to always do his best, work hard, never quit, and to be charitable.
Stan was brilliant in his studies, graduated from Glencoe High School at the age of 16, and adventurous, working for a traveling circus as a bookkeeper during the summer months. He attended and received his diploma from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota. But after the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was sent to Columbia University for midshipman training, earning the rank of Ensign. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific aboard LST 711. By the end of the war, he was the youngest Ensign to captain LST 911.
After World War II, Stan Peterson was selected to join the FBI, and he married Kathryn Rose Thomas. His first assignment as a special agent was Richland, Washington, the home of the ``Manhattan Project'' facility. In 1947, Richland was a federally controlled atomic energy, top-secret community with restricted access. Remarkably, even their mail was postmarked ``Seattle'' to avoid identification.
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After 1 year, he was transferred to Chicago, then Cleveland, and eventually Youngstown, Ohio, the bedlam of organized crime and famous for gangland slayings, illegal gambling, and corruption throughout the city government and the judicial system.
In 1961, the United States Attorney General, Robert Kennedy, directed J. Edgar Hoover and the Department of Justice to take action, initiating the war on organized crime. Stan Peterson became the agent in charge of the expanding regional FBI office with direct communication with the Director and the Attorney General. During his assignment, he received several letters of commendation for his crime-
fighting achievements.
After an unprecedented 20 years at the same assignment, he was transferred to Memphis, Tennessee, a few years before his retirement from the FBI in 1975. A few years later, Youngstown Mayor Phillip Richley asked Stanley E. Peterson to become chief of police. This was the first time in the city's history that a chief would be appointed from outside of the department. As a matter of fact, the succeeding mayor, based upon Peterson's record, asked him to remain as chief, charging him to stamp out corruption both on city streets and within city hall.
Stan Peterson withstood police strikes, vigilantism, and personal attacks from all sides as the former G-man fought crime. As a result of Peterson's actions, the county sheriff signed a confession for taking bribes, and city workers, judges, and politicians were convicted of Federal crimes. In the midst of these events, the local newspaper did not recognize the achievements nor investigate but, rather, chose to parrot cacophony from organized crime figures and their surrogates.
After 8 years, Stanley E. Peterson retired as chief of police and eventually was asked to join an investigation with a former U.S. attorney into monopolies involving the railroads and trucking industry.
At his funeral, he was remembered for his living example as a man who prioritized his life by his dedication and relationship with God, his wife and family. He is remembered today for his integrity and service to our Nation.
In closing, I am pleased to note that Stan's son, Dr. Gregory Peterson, and his beautiful wife, Ramona, are in the gallery. I am happy that Dr. Peterson is present as we honor and enter into the Record the memory and history of this great American patriot, Stanley E. Peterson.
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