[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO U.S. COAST GUARDSMEN

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I believe I have the unique distinction 
of being the only current Member of this body who has served in the 
U.S. Coast Guard, so as a consequence I rise today to pay tribute to 
three brave young men who perished early yesterday off the coast of 
Washington State.
  Petty Officer 2d Class David Bosley of Coronado, CA; Petty Officer 3d 
Class Matthew Schlimme of Whitewater, MO; and Seaman Clinton Miniken of 
Snohomish, WA, were serving aboard a 44-foot motor lifeboat stationed 
on the Pacific Ocean coast of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula.
  Early yesterday morning they took their vessel out to answer a 
distress call from two people aboard a sailboat in trouble in heavy 
seas. Tragically, the 44-footer capsized and three brave men died. Only 
one crewman, Seaman Apprentice Benjamin Wingo of Bremerton, WA, 
survived to reach the rocky shoreline and safety.
  Some of my colleagues have heard me address this body in the past to 
give tribute to successful rescues made by Coast Guard personnel in 
dangerous situations where they themselves were placed in serious 
jeopardy by their effort to save others. Most such rescues end happily. 
This one--tragically--did not.
  We pay formal tribute to those members of the military who fall in 
the line of duty while fighting our Nation's enemies. I hope the 
Members of this body will take just a moment to reflect on the 
sacrifice of these three young Coast Guardsmen. They, too, perished in 
the line of duty, fighting to protect human life.
  The Coast Guard motto, ``Semper Paratus,'' means ``Always Prepared.'' 
Sometimes, it means being prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.

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