[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 84 (Monday, June 10, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CAPT. ROBERT J. PLANTE

                                 ______


                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 10, 1996

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
man who has served and led his country in the Navy for over 28 years. 
Capt. Robert J. Plante, who began his career as a naval aviator in 
February 1968, is now retiring as commanding officer of the Fleet 
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center in Monterey, CA, a 
position he assumed in 1992.
  Captain Plante has led a distinguished life. He graduated from the 
University of Illinois/Illinois Institute of Technology in 1966 with a 
bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering and political 
science. By 1973 he had not only completed naval flight training but 
also became an aircraft commander at the Naval Air Station in 
Brunswick, ME, and successfully completed his masters degree in 
meteorology from the Naval Postgraduate School.
  For the following 9 years after graduation, Captain Plante served his 
country at numerous Navy bases around the world. He earned such titles 
as officer in charge, Naval Weather Service Environmental Detachment 
for the Midway Islands; command duty officer and aviation division 
officer at Fleet Weather Control at Norfolk, VA; meteorological officer 
aboard the USS Saratoga, and finally, from 1979 to 1981, officer in 
charge, Naval Oceanography Command Detachment, Keflavik, Iceland.
  In the ensuing years Captain Plante continued to move up in both rank 
and duties. After his graduation from the Naval War College in Newport, 
RI in 1982 he became the commander of the Naval Oceanography Command. 
Two years later he was assigned to commanding officer of the Naval 
Oceanography Command Facility at Bay St. Louis, MS. For the following 3 
years Captain Plante distinguished himself as Division Director for the 
Oceanographer of the Navy, Division Director for Welfare Systems 
Engineering Policy and Standards at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems 
Command, commanding officer of the U.S. Naval Oceanography Command 
Center/Joint Typhoon Warning Center at Guam, and finally in August 1990 
he assumed his duties as Chief of Staff for the Commander at Naval 
Oceanograph Command.
  Captain Plante is the distinguished recipient of the Legion of Merit 
Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with a gold star. The Navy 
Commendation Medal with two gold stars, the Navy Unit Commendation 
Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal. Along with these 
esteemed awards Captain Plante has also been prestigiously recognized 
as ``Fellow'' in the American Meteorological Society.
  The above list of titles and awards which Captain Plante holds is 
only a part of the reason for this tribute to a great man. His constant 
drive to succeed, his continued push to assume more responsibilities, 
and his outstanding leadership qualities are the main reasons we 
recognize him today. I know I am speaking for all of my constituents to 
say that we are lucky to have benefited from Captain Plante's service 
to his country.

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