[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO TOP COAST GUARD OFFICER

                                 ______


                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 20, 1996

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Capt. Eric 
Staut, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Training Center in 
Petaluma, CA, who retires this month after 30 years of impeccable 
service to our country, our Coast Guard, and the Petaluma community.
  Captain Staut's extensive accomplishments and experience in the Coast 
Guard include serving as district chief of operations, law enforcement 
staff chief, commanding officer of two air stations, and chief of 
enlisted personnel responsible for the management of the Coast Guard's 
30,000 member enlisted force.
  I had the pleasure of working with Captain Staut when he was the 
commanding officer of the Coast Guard Training Center, Petaluma. 
Through his creative, proactive, and skillful leadership, the training 
center has become one of the most efficient facilities in the Coast 
Guard. Under Captain Staut's command, the Petaluma Training Center went 
from being on the chopping block to receiving the Unit Commendation 
Award, which is the highest unit award in the Coast Guard. According to 
the Coast Guard's Commandant who awarded this prestigious commendation, 
the staff demonstrated dynamic leadership and innovation in the quality 
of training and support services. It was Captain Staut's natural 
leadership that helped shape and enrich the minds and hearts of the 
students and staff who take pride in the work they do and in the place 
they serve. His leadership, hard work, and dedication have tremendously 
affected countless lives.
  On June 25, 1996, Captain Staut will be relieving his command of the 
Petaluma Training Center, but he will forever remain a vital link to 
the history of the Petaluma area, and the west coast, for the honors 
and successes he brought to the center and for helping keep the only 
Coast Guard Training Center on the west coast. I urge my colleagues to 
please join me in saluting Captain Staut, and wishing him and his wife, 
Carolyn, much success with their future plans.

                          ____________________