[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 78 (Thursday, May 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                CHANGE OF COMMAND OF ADMIRAL SKIP DIRREN

                                 ______


                         HON. TILLIE K. FOWLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 1995
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
pay tribute to Rear Adm. Frank M. ``Skip'' Dirren, Jr., who has been 
the commander of Naval Base Jacksonville since July of 1992, and who 
will be leaving us tomorrow to accept a new command in Norfolk, VA. 
Admiral Dirren is a man of character, courage and compassion and an 
outstanding naval officer. I am proud to call him my friend.
  If it is true that ``nothing is really work unless you would rather 
be doing something else,'' as J.M. Barrie once said, then Skip Dirren 
has not done a lick of work since he joined the Navy in 1964. He loves 
his job and is the quintessential Navy man--patriotic, loyal, and 
devoted to duty. A decorated veteran helicopter pilot, he has made the 
Navy his life, and he exemplifies the virtues that I associate with the 
service at its best.
  Skip is also a fine leader and good man to have in your corner, as he 
has consistently demonstrated during his tenure in Jacksonville. His 
turn at the helm of our Navy complex has helped to steer our facilities 
and personnel through some very rough waters, and he has strengthened 
the already good relationship between the community and its Naval 
facilities in many ways.
  His community activism has particularly endeared him to our citizens, 
and his warmth and eloquence have made him a much sought-after speaker. 
In short, he has become a respected and beloved member of the 
community, and his generosity, his kindness, and his many talents will 
be greatly missed.
  Mr. Speaker, although the business of the House prevents me from 
attending Admiral Dirren's change of command ceremony tomorrow, my 
thoughts will be with him and his lovely wife, Susan, as they celebrate 
a job well done and prepare to enter a new chapter in their life 
together. I hope they know that they take with them the gratitude and 
affection of our entire city. I wish them both fair winds and following 
seas.


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