[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO ROBERT E. PERKINS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL McCOLLUM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 1997

  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 25 years of 
outstanding national service by Mr. Robert E. Perkins Jr., Director of 
Government Affairs for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, and to 
wish him well in his upcoming retirement.
  For the past 25 years, Mr. Perkins has been an asset to both the 
public and private sectors of customs relations and aviation 
administration. His Federal career began in the U.S. Air Force 
Strategic Air Command during the Vietnam conflict. He served his tour 
of duty at the former Pine Castle Air Force Base which is, 
coincidentally, now the site of Orlando International Airport.
  During the late 1960's and early 1970's, Mr. Perkins served with the 
White House Press Corps and the Military Customs' Inspection Programs 
for the Department of Defense. His service for the Department of 
Defense encompassed all services in Vietnam, Guam, Taiwan, Thailand, 
the Philippines, and West Germany. In addition, Mr. Perkins served as 
Treasury Department representative for Operation Homecoming in the 
Philippines in 1972.
  Mr. Perkins continued his distinguished public service at Orlando 
International Airport. During his tenure, he witnessed its designation 
as a port of entry in 1976 and its original international clearance 
facility construction in 1979. He concluded his customs career in 1986 
as district director in Tampa, FL, where he supervised the customs 
operations for the entire 57-county Florida area.
  Following his retirement from Federal service, Mr. Perkins entered 
the private sector as a law enforcement systems specialist. In 1989, he 
became executive director of Tampa Foreign Trade Zone, Inc., working to 
increase the foreign trade zone program in the Tampa Bay area.
  In 1991, he joined the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority as Federal 
Agency Administrator and was quickly promoted to Director of 
Governmental Affairs in 1993. As Director of Governmental Affairs he 
was the link between the Authority and government officials at all 
levels. Through his hard work and perseverance, he made GOAA's voice 
heard as important legislation, funding, and operational programs 
affecting the aviation industry were implemented.
  Mr. Perkins has been a truly integral part of the Customs and 
aviation industries. He will undoubtedly be greatly missed. So, today I 
ask my colleagues to join me in salute of this exceptional man. I am 
sure that I speak for all when I wish him well in his well-earned 
retirement.

                          ____________________