[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S1587]]
 TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN LOUIS V. MARCHETTE CIVIL ENGINEER CORPS, U.S. NAVY

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize the 
exemplary service and career of an outstanding naval officer, Captain 
Louis V. Marchette, upon his retirement from the Navy at the conclusion 
of more than 24 years of commissioned service. Throughout his 
distinguished career, Captain Marchette has truly epitomized the Navy 
core values of honor, courage, and commitment. It is my privilege to 
commend him for a superb career of service he has provided the Navy and 
our great Nation.
  Captain Marchette was born in Ogden, Utah and grew up in a Marine 
Corps family. After graduating from the University of South Carolina 
with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, he was 
commissioned an Ensign in the Navy in 1976. Captain Marchette began his 
career as a line officer but soon found his true calling and 
transferred to the staff corps as a Civil Engineer Corps officer. His 
first assignment was with the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction 
Battalion FORTY, homeported in Port Hueneme, California. In subsequent 
assignments, Captain Marchette was given some of the most challenging 
assignments the Navy Civil Engineer Corps had to offer.
  As a junior officer, he served as Staff Civil Engineer, Naval 
Technical Training Center Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida; Assistant 
Public Works Officer, Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, and; 
Resident Officer in Charge of Construction, Barksdale Air Force Base, 
Louisiana. In recognition of his exemplary performance and construction 
engineering expertise, he was then assigned as Operations Officer, 
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-FOUR, homeported in 
Gulfport, Mississippi. In this assignment, he directed contingency 
construction and military operations throughout Japan, Korea, the 
Caribbean, and Central America. He followed this tour with assignment 
as the Civil Engineer Corps Lieutenant Commander Assignment and 
Placement Officer, Bureau of Naval Personnel, his only tour within the 
``Beltway.''
  At this juncture, Captain Marchette had developed a truly outstanding 
reputation as a naval officer and engineer and he was rewarded with a 
variety of leadership opportunities to include, Public Works Officer, 
Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; Commanding Officer, Naval 
Mobile Construction Battalion ONE, homeported in Gulfport, Mississippi, 
and; Chief Staff Officer, 20th Naval Construction Regiment, Gulfport, 
Mississippi. On October 30, 1997, Captain Marchette took command of 
Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Mississippi, assuming the 
dual responsibility of Commanding Officer, 20th Naval Construction 
Regiment, the pinnacle of a most outstanding career.
  In this capacity, Captain Marchette has spearheaded development of a 
world class mobilization complex capable of mobilizing Seabees for 
deployment anywhere in the world within 48 hours. Selfless commitment, 
exceptional technical prowess, and extraordinary accomplishment have 
been the hallmarks of this most outstanding professional. Whether 
restoring order for the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the aftermath of 
hurricanes, responding to military contingencies throughout the world, 
or maneuvering through periods of severe budget constraints, he 
provided unparalleled leadership, innovative concepts, and overall 
brilliant managerial insight in accomplishment of the Navy and our 
Nation's objectives. Under his dynamic leadership the Naval 
Construction Force has experienced dramatic improvements in 
comprehensive readiness, training attainment, mobilization, and 
manpower/equipment resourcing. In short, Atlantic Fleet Seabees are now 
better trained and better equipped to accomplish the mission as a 
direct result of Captain Marchette's efforts.
  Captain Marchette holds a Master of Science degree in engineering 
from the University of Florida. He is a registered Professional 
Engineer in the State of Louisiana and a member of the Louisiana 
Society of Professional Engineers and the Society of American Military 
Engineers. He is a Seabee Combat Warfare Officer whose personal 
decorations include the Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service 
medals, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation medal, and Navy Humanitarian 
Service medal.
  Captain Marchette's visionary leadership, exceptionally creative 
problem solving skills, and uncommon dedication have created a legacy 
of achievement and excellence. Having spent half his 24-year career in 
the great State of Mississippi, Captain Marchette and his lovely wife, 
Fran, are true Mississippians who have brought great honor and praise 
to our State. Captain Marchette will retire on July 1, 2000 after 24 
years of dedicated commissioned service. On behalf of my colleagues on 
both sides of the aisle, I wish Captain Marchette fair winds and 
following seas. Congratulations on completion of an outstanding and 
successful career.

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