HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2024-4681, by Representatives Eslick and Schmidt
1 WHEREAS, Medal of Honor and two Medals of Valor recipient Chief
2 James A. Delissio served over 40 years in federal, state, and local
3 law enforcement protecting the 37th President of the United States;
4 prosecuting mob bosses, often in deep cover operations; and saving
5 untold numbers of citizens from grievous harm; and
6 WHEREAS, The proliferation of domestic terror saw the United
7 States experience more than 2,500 domestic bombings in just 18 months
8 in 1971 and 1972. Jim's extraordinary career began in the United
9 States Department of the Treasury as a Special Agent eventually being
10 assigned to a Federal Strike Force where he and his team foiled a
11 major domestic terror plot; and
12 WHEREAS, Terrorists planned a horrific attack on New York City
13 using truck bombs to simultaneously blow up the Lincoln and Holland
14 Tunnels, and the George Washington Bridge on New Year's Eve 1970. Jim
15 and his team discovered the terrorists' hideout and bombs. The team
16 drew straws for who would breach the hideout doors. Jim drew the
17 short straw; and
18 WHEREAS, Jim and his three teammates foiled the plot with no time
19 to spare, many unsuspecting New Yorkers were saved, and a national
20 disaster and potential civil unrest averted at the risk to their own
21 lives. For their selfless bravery, Jim and his team were each
22 presented the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon at the White
23 House. Details of the case remain sealed to this day; and
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 1 WHEREAS, Due to Jim's Italian heritage and language skills, he
2 was assigned to a Federal Strike Force specializing in organized
3 crime. Jim and his team intercepted a conversation revealing a
4 hitman, contracted by Mafioso John Gotti to kill a New Jersey
5 businessman. Upon apprehension, the hitman agreed to cooperate with
6 the authorities and take an agent undercover. Jim was the one chosen
7 and spent several years within the Gambino Crime Family as a covert
8 operative. During this clandestine operation his cover was
9 compromised, resulting in a targeted attempt on his life and that of
10 his wife; and
11 WHEREAS, Jim was instrumental in bringing to justice crime boss
12 Frank Lucas, whose story was later adapted into the movie "American
13 Gangster"; and
14 WHEREAS, Jim received the Medal of Valor on two separate
15 incidents: One, for he and his partner being first on the scene of a
16 burning apartment building and rushing through the smoke and flames
17 to save six people; and the second, for an undercover sting of a
18 continental drug ring, netting one of the largest drug busts to that
19 time; and
20 WHEREAS, Transitioning to the State of New Jersey's Essex County
21 Prosecutor's office, Jim excelled in various squads, ultimately
22 rising to the rank of Deputy Chief responsible for the administration
23 and management of the largest law enforcement Prosecutor's office in
24 the state; and
25 WHEREAS, After service as Chief of the Oak Creek, Colorado,
26 Police Department, Jim and his wife Roberta relocated to Monroe,
27 Washington, formerly in the 39th district. With his two master's
28 degrees and a Ph.D., Jim operates as a Certified Public Accountant;
29 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives
30 honor Chief James "Jim" A. Delissio for his immeasurable
31 contributions to law enforcement and public safety across the nation,
32 and welcome Jim and Roberta to their new home in our great state of
33 Washington.
34
35 I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of
36 Resolution 4681 adopted by the House of Representatives
37 February 23, 2024
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4 __________________________
5 Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk
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