Deputy Attorney General Recognizes Western Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney’s Office Employee at the National Director’s Awards Ceremony

WASHINGTON – Tamara L. Collier, Community Outreach Specialist and Reentry Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Pennsylvania, was one of 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony Friday in Washington D.C.

The Western District of Pennsylvania was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony, which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.

In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, "These honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work."

Tamara L. Collier, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, was recognized for her superior performance in the area of prevention and reentry. Ms. Collier is the district’s reentry coordinator, and she has worked tirelessly to implement strategies to reintegrate former offenders successfully into our communities. She acts as a key participant in the district’s two reentry courts, in Pittsburgh and Johnstown, during which she consistently develops the trust and respect of the re-entrants. Ms. Collier also took the initiative to develop strong and positive relationships with staff at a federal prison located within the Western District of Pennsylvania, Federal Correctional Institute McKean, and she was instrumental in supporting a life-coaching program, under which inmates assist one another in developing strategies for success upon release. Ms. Collier’s unflagging efforts help to ensure that individuals who are reentering society have the best possible chance for success.

"I echo the sentiments of Attorney General Jeff Sessions who has said that while the job of a prosecutor is to enforce the law, we also recognize that prevention efforts and re-entry programs for offenders play a key part in an effective strategy to reduce violent crime," said U.S. Attorney Brady.

EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.