[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 38 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        WILLIAM J. ``BUD'' FLANAGAN ADMIRAL, U.S. NAVY, RETIRED

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. OWEN B. PICKETT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 1997

  Mr. PICKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the 
career of Adm. William J. ``Bud'' Flanagan, Jr. Admiral Flanagan 
retired on February 1, 1997, after 29 years of service, having 
successfully served in several of the Navy's most demanding jobs and 
concluding that service as the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic 
Fleet. ``Bud Flanagan'', the private citizen, has moved on to new and 
exciting challenges. ``Admiral Flanagan'', Naval career officer, left a 
legacy of unique accomplishments and an impact on the Atlantic Fleet, 
Southeastern Virginia, and the Navy at large that invites our praise 
and deserves our applause.
  I first came to know Admiral Flanagan in 1987, when he served as 
Navy's Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs to the House of 
Representatives. He worked tirelessly to represent the U.S. Navy and 
facilitate the Department's liaison with the Congress. After 
successfully meeting his responsibilities as Commander of Destroyer 
Squadron Five, he returned to Washington and served from 1988 to 1991 
as the Department of the Navy's Chief of Legislative Affairs. Following 
that tour, in 1992 Bud was assigned command of the U.S. Second Fleet. 
In 1994, he was nominated to the rank of Admiral and assigned Commander 
in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
  I have had the pleasure of working with and knowing some of this 
nation's finest military officers in all branches of the armed forces, 
and I include Bud Flanagan in that honored company. He is a noted 
operational strategist, an ``operator's operator'', who brought a 
distinctive combination of vision, strength and humanity to the various 
responsibilities he carried out, in and out of Washington. I worked 
with him on many issues impacting the second district of Virginia and 
the Tidewater region. Bud was unfailing in his genuine concern for the 
welfare of the communities where he commanded and the Navy he led and 
loved. Admiral Flanagan developed innovative solutions to community 
needs, most especially for the Tidewater region, as our community moved 
to address the changing demands of the next millennium. Admiral 
Flanagan's initiatives, all of which were innovative, ranged from 
working intermodal transportation issues; housing initiatives for 
sailors and marines that would facilitate home ownership, public/
private ventures to facilitate local economic development and 
modernization of Naval Base Norfolk, and the application of business 
practices in the management of the fleet. Bud's innovative ideas saved 
taxpayers and the Department of the Navy millions of dollars. These 
were just the latest in a series of contributions that have been the 
hallmark of Admiral Flanagan's career.
  Today I say congratulations to an outstanding career that made a real 
difference in the lives of many Americans. I extend my sincerest best 
wishes to the Admiral and his family in the next phase of their life's 
journey. I know whatever Bud Flanagan decides to accomplish, he will be 
successful. Fortunately, despite retirement, the Admiral remains a true 
Virginian, maintaining a home in Eastville, VA. Fair winds, following 
seas and Happy Birthday.

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