[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E746-E747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RETIREMENT OF CAPT. CHARLES CONNOR, U.S. NAVY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 1997

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, over the past 25 years, Capt. Charles D. 
Connor has been a leading force in the Navy's public affairs community. 
His efforts, through a wide variety of assignments, played an integral 
role in articulating the Navy story, and ensuring public support for 
our policies and programs.
  His early public affairs assignments, including U.S.S. John F. 
Kennedy, Armed Forces Bicentennial Program, Navy Recruiting Region 
Pacific Northwest, Navy Public Affairs Office Midwest, and Navy 
Recruiting Command laid the groundwork for stellar performance in the 
most challenging and influential billets in the PAO community.
  In the late 1980's, Captain Connor went on to lead the public affairs 
efforts of the U.S. Third Fleet, following that success with 3 years at 
U.S. Space Command. His most recent assignments put him truly at the 
top of his field, where his broad professional expertise has been of 
incalculable benefit to the U.S. Navy.
  As public affairs director of U.S. Navy European Headquarters, 1992-
1994, Captain Connor, created, planned and executed the commemoration 
of the 50th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, the centerpiece of 
which was the globally televised Presidential embarkation aboard Navy 
ships. This special event successfully underlined the fact that 
American power projection relies on a forward-based Navy, a vital 
communication objective which was brilliantly conceived and 
implemented. His efforts were personally commended by the White House.
  As the Deputy Chief of Information, 1994-1995, Captain Connor 
directed national and international Navy public affairs programs, 
managing global day-to-day media, community and internal relations 
operations involving hundreds of people and a multimillion dollar 
budget. He also created the first standardized manual on the operation 
of nine regional public affairs offices and introduced digital 
photography transmission to media, producing significant savings in 
processing costs.
  Captain Connor's outstanding public affairs acumen culminated in his 
assignment as public affairs officer for the Secretary of the Navy in 
1995. During a time of great change and volatility due to downsizing, 
he spearheaded the Secretary's communications program targeting both 
internal and external audiences. His efforts resulted in a greater 
understanding

[[Page E747]]

of and advocacy for the Secretary's initiatives, both within the Navy 
and externally through the news media.
  He is a strategic thinker who is action-oriented. Captain Connor's 
professional excellence, diligence, and loyalty have made him a great 
asset to the U.S. Navy. I take this opportunity to wish him well upon 
his retirement from the Navy and for continued success. He has truly 
been a role model for public affairs officers who follow him.

                          ____________________