[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 145 (Monday, September 18, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO REAR ADM. THOMAS A. MERCER, USN

                                 ______


                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 18, 1995

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to rise today in salute 
of an outstanding individual, community and military leader. Mr. 
Speaker, Rear Adm. Thomas A. Mercer, who until recently commanded the 
Naval Postgraduate School, provided 33 years of service to the U.S. 
Navy and to my central coast community. His contributions will be 
remembered and sorely missed.
  Graduating with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1962, Rear 
Admiral Mercer served a 3-year tour of duty in the U.S. Navy, including 
a Southeast Asia combat deployment. He later attended the Naval 
Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA and was awarded a master of science 
degree in aeronautical engineering in 1969.
  Rear Admiral Mercer's remarkable career has been demonstrated by his 
assignments and duties throughout the country and the world. He has 
been awarded 17 medals and awards that recognize his distinguished 
service, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, 
Distinguished Service Medal and Defense Superior Service Medal. I am 
very pleased to commend Rear Admiral Mercer for his contributions to 
our country.
  In addition, Rear Admiral Mercer significantly contributed to the 
Monterey Peninsula community. He has served as the superintendent of 
the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA since January 1993. His 
contributions there helped to retain the school in Monterey and he has 
worked with other institutions of higher education to make the region a 
center of excellence for education and research. Rear Admiral Mercer 
has also helped many organizations in the Monterey region, including 
outreach programs to schools, the American Legion, the Salinas Air Show 
and many more.
  We are indeed fortunate to have a national resource like the Naval 
Postgraduate School in our community, but more so since Rear Admiral 
Mercer has been its superintendent for the past 2\1/2\ years. It is 
said that Rear Admiral Mercer left every command in better shape than 
when he arrived and I agree. The Naval Postgraduate School and the 
entire community have benefited from his leadership. On behalf of a 
grateful community and country, I wish him congratulations, and very 
best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement.

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