[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 78 (Thursday, May 27, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN STEPHEN ERIC BENSON OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY

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                          HON. OWEN B. PICKETT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 1999

  Mr. PICKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Captain 
Stephen Eric Benson, Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Oceana, 
who has served in the United States Navy for twenty-five years of 
faithful duty to his country.
  For the past three years, Captain Benson has served as the Commanding 
Officer of Naval Air Station Oceana Virginia Beach, Virginia located in 
my congressional district. During his tenure as Commanding Officer, 
Captain Benson has distinguished himself by his exceptional efforts to 
establish and improve upon the relationship between the community and 
the Naval Air Station. It is a testimony to these efforts that as he 
leaves his post in June of this year, the relationship between the base 
and the City of Virginia Beach is one of the best in the nation.
  The tenacious efforts of Captain Benson to enhance the cooperation 
with the surrounding community and his goal of serving as a ``good 
neighbor'' has not only helped the Navy achieve its mission, but also 
has made a direct contribution to the goals of the City of Virginia 
Beach. His open communication policy with both the Mayor of Virginia 
Beach and with the local congressional delegation has been exemplary 
and productive for all concerned.
  Captain Benson has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life 
for the sailors stationed under his command. New living quarters and 
recreational improvements have been either built or have been funded. 
With the assistance of congressional leadership, local political 
leaders and businesses, a new Barracks for enlisted personnel and a new 
recreational facility have either been funded or are near completion as 
he executes his next assignment.
  Captain Benson has overseen the movement of ten F/A-18 squadrons and 
their families to Naval Air Station Oceana from Naval Air Station Cecil 
Field, Florida. A total of one hundred fifty-six aircraft and nearly 
nine thousand personnel and dependents have made the transition to 
their new home in Virginia Beach with minimum impact to operations and 
family members.
  Again enhancing community relations, he has developed and nurtured 
the local Military Air show into a community affair, aligned with the 
City of Virginia Beach's Neptune Festival. This event, once known as 
the NAS Oceana Air Show is now known as the Neptune Festival Air Show. 
The show has been not only profitable to the Military Welfare and 
Recreation Fund which has a direct impact on the improvement of quality 
of life issues for the sailors at NAS Oceana, but was awarded the Best 
Military Air Show in North America for 1998 by the International Councl 
of Air Shows. This is a true win-win scenario which has brought 
recognition to not only the base, but to the community at large.
  Captain Benson has personally conducted hundreds of community 
presentations fostering the best base-community relationships within 
the Hampton Roads region. He has been lauded by both the Mayor of the 
City of Virginia Beach and myself for his efforts in working with the 
local political groups and businesses for the betterment of all 
concerned.
  Under his charge, Naval Air Station Oceana has won two consecutive 
Environmental Awards in 1998 and 1999 for efforts to maintain the 
environment on this installation. From these efforts, to rapid response 
teams for fuel spills, to responses to Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) inquiries, NAS Oceana has been praised on all fronts.
  Captain Benson is an active member of the Hampton Roads Rotary and 
the City of Virginia Beach Neptune Festival Committee, further 
enhancing the cooperation and community leadership between the base and 
the public at large.
  A totally dedicated professional, Captain Benson has set a superior 
personal example of all military leaders to emulate. His many 
contributions will continue to be felt for many years to come in the 
Hampton Roads area. Because of his outstanding and distinguished record 
of accomplishments, his tenacious efforts to keep the local community 
informed and his outgoing personality, Captain Benson is truly worthy 
of recognition. We will surely miss him at Oceana Naval Air Station.

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