[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   SALUTING U.S. COAST GUARD COMDR. WILLIAM J. ``WOODY'' LEE ON HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

                                 ______


                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 1995
  Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, those of us who have worked on issues 
important to the U.S. Coast Guard have enjoyed the opportunity to work 
with Comdr. William J. ``Woody'' Lee. Woody will retire from his 
position in the very near future after 21 years of active duty service 
in the Coast Guard, and I would like to take a moment to salute his 
efforts on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard.
  Since 1992, Woody has worked closely with many of us in the House on 
issues important to the Coast Guard. I worked especially closely with 
Commander Lee from 1993 to 1995, when I served as the ranking 
Republican member of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. 
During those years, committee staffers, Chairman Gerry Studds, and I 
all relied on advice and information supplied by Woody to better 
understand the needs of the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard as 
they worked to carry out their many diverse missions.
  Throughout the years I worked with him, I was always impressed with 
Woody's tireless efforts on behalf of the Coast Guard, and his efforts 
to improve communication between top Coast Guard officials and those of 
us on Capitol Hill charged with overseeing the Coast Guard's 
activities.
  Commander Lee coordinated hundreds of Coast Guard presentations at 
congressional hearings and briefings, including annual budget briefings 
and updates on Coast Guard operations during the Cuban and Haitian 
refugee crises. Woody coordinated more meetings and appearances on 
Capitol Hill by the two Coast Guard commandants under whom he served 
than had been coordinated during the entire previous decade. Woody's 
efforts to foster a better relationship and improved communication 
between top officials of the U.S. Coast Guard and those of us in 
Congress resulted in widespread and bipartisan support in the house for 
the U.S. Coast Guard as it worked to carry out its many varied 
responsibilities.
  But Woody always believed that telling the Coast Guard story involved 
more than participating in congressional hearings. In his years as the 
Coast Guard's liaison officer in the House, Woody organized and managed 
more than 30 field trips for House staff members. Those trips provided 
staffers with invaluable first-hand information and a better 
understanding of Coast Guard operations, missions, and needs.
  In the same way, Woody understood the need for his fellow Coast Guard 
officers to better understand how the Congress works. That's why he 
volunteered to speak at the Chief Petty Officer's Academy and the 
Reserve Training Center Group Commander's course. That's also why he 
has taken the time to advise field commanders on how they can foster 
greater understanding of Coast Guard missions by the public as well as 
by Federal-level elected officials.
  A 1974 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Woody deserves our 
sincere thanks for the 21 years of distinguished and selfless service 
he has given to the U.S. Coast Guard and to his country. Woody informs 
me that he's accepted an exciting and challenging position at Raytheon, 
and that he plans to continue his marathon running. I know you, Mr. 
Speaker, and all of my colleagues join with me in wishing Comdr. 
William J. ``Woody'' Lee--as well as his wife, Dona, and their two 
children--continued success and happiness in the years ahead.


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