[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       COMMENDING THE NOAA CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 1999

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
recent activities of the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Corps). Also known as ``America's 
Seventh Service,'' the NOAA Corps is composed of a cadre of about 250 
commissioned officers. Officers of the Corps have served our nation for 
decades with their unique scientific and engineering skills.
  The dedicated scientists, engineers, and officers of the NOAA Corps 
serve with expertise and dedication throughout the nation, and in 
remote locations around the world. For example, NOAA Corps pilots fly 
hurricane research aircraft, providing critical weather prediction 
information. Recently, the NOAA corps flew repeated missions into the 
eye of Hurricane Floyd as it battered the Mid-Atlantic Coast. These 
officers gathered data which was critical to predicting the strength 
and path of the destructive hurricane. NOAA Corps aviators fly many of 
these missions each and every hurricane season.
  Following the tragic disappearance of the aircraft piloted by John F. 
Kennedy, Jr., the NOAA Corps provided critical support in the search 
and recovery efforts. From July 17th through July 23rd, the officers 
and crew of the NOAA Ship RUDE worked around the clock to assist in the 
mission to recover the downed plane. With its side-scan sonar 
capability, the NOAA Corps ship was instrumental in locating the 
wreckage of the aircraft.
  In recent months, the NOAA Corps has participated in the Sustainable 
Seas Expedition (SSE) project. From April through mid-September, the 
NOAA Ships McArthur and Ferrel served in a cooperative program with 
National Geographic to study NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries in the 
Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and in the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of 
the SSE is to explore, document, and provide critical scientific data 
on America's coastal waters, and to develop a strategy for the 
conservation and restoration of the nation's marine resources. NOAA's 
ships will participate in the five-year project, using new technologies 
to pioneer deep exploration of the extensive marine sanctuaries.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in commending the hard-
working men and women of the NOAA Corps for their superb leadership and 
dedicated service to the nation.

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