HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2024-4681

HR 4681

ByRepresentatives Eslick and Schmidt

WHEREAS, Medal of Honor and two Medals of Valor recipient Chief James A. Delissio served over 40 years in federal, state, and local law enforcement protecting the 37th President of the United States; prosecuting mob bosses, often in deep cover operations; and saving untold numbers of citizens from grievous harm; and

WHEREAS, The proliferation of domestic terror saw the United States experience more than 2,500 domestic bombings in just 18 months in 1971 and 1972. Jim's extraordinary career began in the United States Department of the Treasury as a Special Agent eventually being assigned to a Federal Strike Force where he and his team foiled a major domestic terror plot; and

WHEREAS, Terrorists planned a horrific attack on New York City using truck bombs to simultaneously blow up the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, and the George Washington Bridge on New Year's Eve 1970. Jim and his team discovered the terrorists' hideout and bombs. The team drew straws for who would breach the hideout doors. Jim drew the short straw; and

WHEREAS, Jim and his three teammates foiled the plot with no time to spare, many unsuspecting New Yorkers were saved, and a national disaster and potential civil unrest averted at the risk to their own lives. For their selfless bravery, Jim and his team were each presented the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon at the White House. Details of the case remain sealed to this day; and

WHEREAS, Due to Jim's Italian heritage and language skills, he was assigned to a Federal Strike Force specializing in organized crime. Jim and his team intercepted a conversation revealing a hitman, contracted by Mafioso John Gotti to kill a New Jersey businessman. Upon apprehension, the hitman agreed to cooperate with the authorities and take an agent undercover. Jim was the one chosen and spent several years within the Gambino Crime Family as a covert operative. During this clandestine operation his cover was compromised, resulting in a targeted attempt on his life and that of his wife; and

WHEREAS, Jim was instrumental in bringing to justice crime boss Frank Lucas, whose story was later adapted into the movie "American Gangster"; and

WHEREAS, Jim received the Medal of Valor on two separate incidents: One, for he and his partner being first on the scene of a burning apartment building and rushing through the smoke and flames to save six people; and the second, for an undercover sting of a continental drug ring, netting one of the largest drug busts to that time; and

WHEREAS, Transitioning to the State of New Jersey's Essex County Prosecutor's office, Jim excelled in various squads, ultimately rising to the rank of Deputy Chief responsible for the administration and management of the largest law enforcement Prosecutor's office in the state; and

WHEREAS, After service as Chief of the Oak Creek, Colorado, Police Department, Jim and his wife Roberta relocated to Monroe, Washington, formerly in the 39th district. With his two master's degrees and a Ph.D., Jim operates as a Certified Public Accountant;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor Chief James "Jim" A. Delissio for his immeasurable contributions to law enforcement and public safety across the nation, and welcome Jim and Roberta to their new home in our great state of Washington.