[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 74 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5622-S5623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COMMANDER STEPHEN P. METRUCK, U.S.C.G.

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I want to take this opportunity to 
express my sincere thanks to Lieutenant Commander Stephen Metruck who 
has served as my legislative assistant for oceans and fisheries issues 
for the past 2\1/2\ years.
  Steve has done an outstanding job and has honored himself and the 
Coast Guard with his dedication and quiet dignity. His talents and the 
depth of his knowledge brought a unique perspective on the issues on 
which he advised me, and he will be missed. I know that the Coast Guard 
needs to retain officers with his experience and capability and Steve's 
dedication to the Service compels him to return to the field, but I 
would welcome his permanent service in my office. Our loss is the Coast 
Guard's gain, and Steve will be leaving my staff shortly to return to 
serve as the Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office 
in Buffalo, NY.
  Steve came to my staff on detail from the United States Coast Guard 
to assist me with my work on the Senate Commerce Committee Subcommittee 
on Oceans and Fisheries. As Ranking Member of that Subcommittee--and in 
my prior role as Vice Chairman of the subcommittee's predecessor, the 
National Ocean Policy Study--I had planned to sponsor a number of 
important legislative measures including the reauthorization of the 
Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act and was pleased to 
gain someone with Steve's experience and expertise in marine safety and 
environmental policy.
  For over 2\1/2\ years, Steve has been a crucial part of my 
legislative team. I have come to rely on his expertise in Coast Guard, 
marine, coastal and fisheries issues. As we all know around here, it is 
critical to have staff that can produce high quality work under short 
deadlines and with constantly shifting priorities. Steve was a master 
juggler. He was a quick study and in short order he began to work 
closely with Committee staff where he helped

[[Page S5623]]

draft several bills and amendments, including the omnibus rewrite of 
the Magnuson bill as well as innumerable floor statements, memos and 
letters.
  Another key aspect for any staff in my office is to provide courteous 
and helpful constituent service. Steve demonstrates an amazing ability 
to be sensitive yet fair to all parties involved in an issue. I believe 
that most of my constituents--fishermen, coastal residents, 
environmental activists and others--who he has served would agree that 
he is always extremely helpful and treats everyone equally and with 
respect.
  As he leaves to continue his duty with the Coast Guard, I join the 
members of my staff and everyone who has had the pleasure to work with 
Steve Metruck during his time in the United States Senate in wishing 
him well in his service. I know Steve will continue to honor his 
uniform, his country, and his family with the decency, intelligence, 
and integrity he brought to his service on my staff. He is to be 
commended for his deep and abiding belief that we must do everything we 
can to responsibly protect and preserve the environment. Good luck, 
Lieutenant Commander Stephen P. Metruck, and thank you for a job well 
done.

                          ____________________