[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 91 (Thursday, July 14, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 14, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               TRIBUTE TO LT. COMDR. NANCY S. FITZGERALD

  (Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
truly outstanding naval officer, Lt. Comdr. Nancy S. Fitzgerald, U.S. 
Navy, who is completing a distinguished tour of duty as a liaison 
officer at the department of the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs. 
It is a privilege for me to recognize several of her many outstanding 
achievements.
  Originally from Plantation, FL, Lieutenant Commander Fitzgerald 
received her undergraduate degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 
1983. Following her commissioning as an ensign, she reported to flight 
school in Pensacola, FL. In January 1985, then Ensign Fitzgerald 
achieved a significant milestone by earning her wings signifying her 
qualification as a naval aviator.
  Lieutenant Commander Fitzgerald's first tour of duty following flight 
school was flying EC-130Q aircraft supporting TACAMO missions in the 
Pacific. She qualified as an aircraft commander in the EC-130Q and 
logged over 1,500 hours on TACAMO missions. These flights were a 
crucial component in maintaining the submarine leg of the Nation's 
nuclear triad. In addition to her flying duties, Lieutenant Commander 
Fitzgerald also served as public affairs officer and manpower officer 
for her squadron. She was instrumental in the transition from the EC-
130Q aircraft to the E-6A as the squadron special projects officer.
  In July 1988, Lieutenant Commander Fitzgerald reported to the Naval 
Training Support Unit in Waco, TX, as a flight instructor for the E-6A 
aircraft. In this role, she was responsible for training and qualifying 
numerous pilots in the E-6A to continue the vital TACAMO missions. 
Following this tour, Lieutenant Commander Fitzgerald was selected to 
return to her alma mater as a company commander at the U.S. Naval 
Academy. In May of this year, the plebes she first guided in 1990 
graduated and were commissioned ensigns and second lieutenants in the 
U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
  Due to her outstanding performance at the Naval Academy, Lieutenant 
Commander Fitzgerald was hand picked to report to the Navy Legislative 
Affairs Office. During her tenure Lieutenant Commander Fitzgerald's 
trademarks have been her tireless efforts and cordial professionalism 
in resolving congressional inquiries. She is now going back to provide 
direct support to our naval forces in a crucial position on the staff 
of the Commander in Chief Atlantic Fleet.
  A naval officer of Lieutenant Commander Fitzgerald's integrity, 
commitment and talent is rare. While her expertise will be genuinely 
missed, it gives me great pleasure to recognize her before my 
colleagues and wish her ``Fair Winds and Following Seas.''

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