[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 59 (Monday, May 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN JOHN C. SIMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NICK LAMPSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 15, 2000

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the outstanding career of 
Captain John C. Simpson, who is retiring on June 2, 2000, after 25 
years of distinguished Coast Guard service. Captain Simpson's career 
has had a wide-ranging impact across a broad spectrum of our vital 
national interests. This includes serving on high endurance cutters in 
the Pacific to protect our maritime boarder and preserve our natural 
resources, commanding coastal units on the Gulf Coast to rescue those 
in distress and ensure compliance with federal maritime laws, and 
developing progressive naval doctrine to enhance the interoperability 
of the Coast Guard and Navy to protect our global strategic interests.
  For the past three years, Captain Simpson has commanded Coast Guard 
Group Galveston, Texas. His area of responsibility includes both the 
inland and offshore waters on the coast of Southeast Texas. As Group 
Commander, he integrated active duty, reserve and auxiliary personnel 
into a cohesive team that together conducted more than 3,500 search and 
rescue cases, resulting in over 700 lives saved and $35 million in 
property preserved. He carried out an aggressive program that balanced 
maritime law enforcement with education of the boating public, 
commercial vessel operators, and the fishing industry. He also directed 
the annual maintenance and servicing of over 2,550 aids to navigation 
in the critical waterways leading to the Ports of Galveston, Port 
Arthur, Beaumont, Freeport, and Houston. One can only truly appreciate 
Captain Simpson's contribution in ensuring maritime safety after 
realizing that over 90 percent of the goods imported into the United 
States are carried by ships, and a large percentage of that trade 
enters the maritime thoroughfares under his charge.
  Despite these accomplishments, Captain Simpson's greatest and most 
lasting achievement has been his strong advocacy for the men and women 
under this command. In times of limited resources and an austere budget 
climate, when the Coast Guard is being asked to do more than ever 
before, Captain Simpson has been tireless in his pursuit to ensure that 
his units had the right tools to get the job done. During my visits 
with Captain Simpson, I have been continually impressed with the 
resourcefulness, dedication, and commitment of the men and women at 
Coast Guard Group Galveston, which is a testament to his exceptional 
leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, Captain Simpson's career is ripe with countless examples 
of self-sacrifice and extraordinary accomplishment in service to our 
great Nation. His contributions to Southeast Texas are immeasurable. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Captain Simpson and his wife, 
Jan, fair winds and following seas as they chart a new course together 
in Seattle, Washington.
  Congratulations, Captain Simpson, on a job well done.

                          ____________________