[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1721-E1722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATIONS TO THE U.S. COAST GUARD ON THE SUCCESSFUL CROSS-DECKING 
         OF THE CUTTER ``DECISIVE'' AND THE CUTTER ``RESOLUTE''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 1996

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, my good friend Maj. F. Andy 
Messing of the National Defense Council Foundation has asked me to 
submit these speeches for the Record.
  Congressman Dan Burton congratulates the U.S. Coast Guard on the 
successful cross-decking of the cutter Decisive and the cutter 
Resolute. The two speeches herein show the dedicated service to our 
country. Particularly, they illustrate the antidrug missions, the 
lifesaving actions and environmental deeds done for America.

     Speech of Cdr. Al J. Bernard--Commanding Officer of the USCGC 
                              ``Resolute''

       Admiral Barrett, Captain Hested, Capt Hail, Chaplain 
     Michener, other distinguished guests, former Decisive Co's 
     and sailors, Team Coast Guard, friends and family of the 
     Coast Guard, Good Morning:
       Thank you all for coming today to share in this very 
     special ceremony. For many of us, work is a routine of 
     shuffling paper, long hours in front of a computer screen or 
     toiling through highway congested traffic from home to work 
     and back. It's a far cry from the dreams we had as kids. We 
     day dreamed of being astronauts, explorers, major league 
     baseball players, or even running off to sea. For the men and 
     women you see before you the childhood notion of going to sea 
     is a realty and remains intact. They sail the briny for love 
     of country and for the ideals it represents.
       Therefore, a ship carries a very special meaning to a 
     sailor. The ships you see behind me represent work, home, 
     school, family, and church for this crew. It is life 
     personified on a floating hull of steel. It takes on the 
     character of its crew and becomes a sacred and noble entity 
     because these ships are their blood, sweat and tears--the 
     very attributes which bring a ship to life. Today, you have 
     witnessed a transfusion of life from Decisive to Resolute. 
     Decisive will always be a part of us. But now we are 
     resolute; and what a desirable trait of human character to 
     be--one especially suited for this crew and her mission. 
     Implied by the word ``resolute'' are steadfastness, courage, 
     and tenacity of purpose. To be resolute is to continue one's 
     task in the face of great obstacles. It is one of the 
     foundations of character. Without this quality, neither 
     man nor nation can survive.
       But that's only half of the story. These ships of steel and 
     their crews must endure the hardship and punishment that the 
     sea offers without regard. Since the beginning of time, 
     sailors have relied on the sailmaker, carpenter, ship fitter, 
     and dock yard; these craftsmen ensured that the vessels they 
     built or repaired were reliable and intact. The dock yards 
     kept the mighty triremes, galleons, barks and cutters fit for 
     service so that the crews could serve. They provided the 
     sailor with piece of mind when he set for sea.
       Today, you see yet another example of that relationship 
     between sailor and ship yard. The Coast Guard Yard has 
     delivered another ship of the line in tip top condition from 
     stem to stern, top to bottom, and ready for action. Captain 
     Hested, please accept my sincere thanks from the crew of 
     Decisive, and now Resolute, for a job well done. Your team 
     has done it again.
       Thirty years ago, Resolute was launched from this very yard 
     contributing to the Coast Guard's unbroken line of 
     development extending over two centuries. As you look at 
     Resolute down the pier, you'll see her clean, sweeping lines, 
     a new look if you will, and a metaphor for the renewed 
     vitality which is surging in our service. This ``new cutter'' 
     incorporates all the latest advances in naval engineering and 
     demonstrates our commitment to the growing needs of our 
     times. For while I stand here and talk of time honored 
     tradition and service, the Coast Guard recognizes that change 
     is inevitable, if we are to keep up with the demands of 
     progress.
       Let me end here by telling you that the crew is ready to 
     begin a new chapter in the rich history of cutter Resolute. 
     The American novelist, Arthur Somers Roche, captures the very 
     essence of why these men and women do what they do, and do it 
     so well:

     But the men who sail the ocean
     In wormy, rotten craft,
     With a hell-blown gale baft;
     When the mainmast cracks and topples,
     And she's lurching in the trough,
     Them's the guys that greets the cutter
     With smiles that won't come off.

  Thank you so much for coming.

            Speech of Rear Adm. Ed Barnett, U.S. Coast Guard

       Captain Hested, Captain Hail, Commander Bernard, men and 
     women of Decisive, men and women of the yard, family and 
     friends. A special welcome to two former Decisive CO's, Capt. 
     Mark Fisher and Capt. Rich Hartman--good morning. It is a 
     pleasure to be here today representing the Commandant as we 
     mark a key transition point for the cutters Decisive and 
     Resolute and for the one crew which soon will have sailed 
     both of these vessels.
       Appropriately, this ceremony is held in Curtis Bay, a city 
     rich in maritime history, and specifically at the Coast Guard 
     yard, a facility which has contributed much to the birth and 
     lifeline of so many Coast Guard vessels.
       As you know, there are many significant events in the life 
     of a cutter . . . christening, commissioning, changes of 
     command and finally decommissioning. The Coast Guard cutter 
     Decisive was christened here at the CG yard in January 1968, 
     and later commissioned in August 1968 in her first homeport, 
     New Castle, New Hampshire.
       Since that time, during the past 28 years, Decisive has 
     carved a proud niche in Coast Guard history.
       Her missions have been wide ranging. In the forefront are 
     search and rescue and law enforcement operations in the Gulf 
     of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. In carrying out these 
     missions, as well as her other duties, Decisive has excelled.
       I would like to recap a few of these missions which 
     occurred over the past couple of years.
       1. Aug 94 First CTU 44.7.9 for the Florida Straits Cuban 
     Sealift; rescued approximately 500 Cubans from unseaworthy 
     craft; overall in 1994 Decisive rescued 1,400 Cuban and 
     Haitian migrants.
       2. Nov 95 Sank M/V Juneau Express during t/s Gordon near 
     Florida Keys live coral reef. Fired approx 600 rounds heit 
     25mm between midnight and 0300 to sink abandoned 200' 
     freighter in high winds/seas and prevent damage to a fragile 
     eco system.
       3. Mar-May 95 Coordinated Maritime element for exercise 
     tradewinds 95, a USACOM sponsored annual nation building 
     effort. Trained police and Coast Guard forces from 13 
     Caribbean Nations.
       4. Nov 95 Interdiced 75' Haitian coastal freighter with 516 
     Haitian migrants in windward pass. Assisted CGC northland w/
     safe offload in the vicinity of Cay Sal Bank, w/o injury or 
     loss of life.
       Decisive's effort in law enforcement are matched by few 
     Coast Guard cutters . . . she has logged thousands of 
     helicopter landings, seized dozens of vessels, and as evident 
     by the marijuana symbols on the stack. She has seized over 
     500,000 lbs of marijuana.
       To the crew of Decisive . . . I'm sure you are or will be 
     experiencing a wide range of feelings as you depart Decisive 
     which has been your home, and from which you performed your 
     duties with the highest degree of professionalism.
       For CDR Benard, it may occur as you order the OOD to haul 
     down the commissioning pennant.
       For the engineers, it may have occurred as you secured the 
     main diesels.
       For others, it may be as you finish emptying your lockers 
     and cross the brow for this final mooring.
       A lot of memories will surface . . . good times in 
     Caribbean liberty ports, search and rescue cases in rough 
     seas, climbing over the gunwales during fisheries 
     boardings, the thrill of a drug seizure, the watches 
     you've stood . . . and always, the memories of sailors 
     with which you've served.
       Don't be surprised if you also have a feeling of emptiness 
     . . . because a part of each of you will remain with 
     Decisive. It has been your knowledge, dedication, hard work, 
     and perseverance that have allowed Decisive to continue to 
     operate effectively . . . long after she should have entered 
     a major maintenance availability. As a team, you have given 
     Decisive your best, and in return she has served you and the 
     Coast Guard well.
       Now, on the other hand, you will be surprised at how 
     quickly you will build a similar bond with your new ship . . 
     . Resolute. The craftsmen of the Coast Guard yard have once 
     again done a masterful job . . . the 210' MMA program has 
     turned out to be a real success story for the CG . . . with 
     the employees of the yard providing quality products, ahead 
     of schedule and >$50M under cost. An excellent example of 
     ``better Government at less cost.'' You will acquire from the 
     yard much more than a refurbished ship . . . you will have a 
     new Coast Guard cutter with many modifications designed to 
     both improve operational capability and decrease M/H required 
     for maintenance. The deck department will undoubtedly miss 
     the pleasurable chore of scrubbing Decisive's stern. . . .
       The caretaking of Resolute's heritage will soon be passed 
     to you . . . her new crew. You are inheriting a ship that has 
     an equally rich history. As with Decisive, Resolute was built 
     by the Coast Guard yard. Resolute's history began in 1966 in 
     San Francisco, CA, under the command of a young commander 
     named Paul A. Yost, whom would later become our commandant.
       Resolute's law enforcement accomplishments are also 
     impressive. She too has seized dozens of ships--but on the 
     ``other'' coast. And, while not as glamorous as drug 
     seizures, she has admirably performed thousands of fisheries 
     boardings, which have protected our ocean's dwindling fish 
     stocks from exploitation and has provided fishermen with the 
     latest information on F/V safety requirements.
       She has served our country with distinction.
       And so, through you, Resolute's history begins again. In 
     June, you successfully completed her builder's trials. The 
     stage is set. Resolute will require your skill and hard

[[Page E1722]]

     work to complete the on-load and ready for sea processes. 
     Learn your new ship well . . . trace every piping run, 
     exercise every new piece of equipment, note every detail of 
     each new space. Soon you will again feel the salt spray, the 
     excitement of the hunt, and the thrill of the rescue. That 
     close bond between ship and sailor will serve you well as CGC 
     Resolute assumes her position in the forefront of Coast Guard 
     operations.
       Capt. Hested, on behalf of the Commandant, I accept 
     Resolute back into the fleet. At the same time I present 
     Decisive--``the queen of the fleet'' for her major 
     maintenance availability.
       I pass operational control of Resolute to Commander 
     Atlantic Area and administrative control to Commander 
     Maintenance and Logistics Command, Atlantic.
       CDR Bernard, I charge you and your crew to be ``Semper 
     Paratus'' in carrying out your missions. Do this in the same 
     manner in which you, your crew, and Decisive's crews have 
     done in the past. In closing, to the Decisive I say ``good 
     job, we'll see you soon plying the Atlantic waters.'' To the 
     Resolute, welcome back, welcome to the LANT area.
       And we wish you the very best in your endeavors.
       CDR Bernard, execute your orders.

                          ____________________