[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SALUTE TO COMMANDER AL BERNARD

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                          HON. SONNY CALLAHAN

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2000

  Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues in the 
House of Representatives to join me in honoring a man of outstanding 
accomplishment, Commander Al Bernard.
  Commander Bernard is retiring from the United States Coast Guard this 
week, and I would like to call attention to his extraordinary and 
meritorious service to his country.
  Mr. Speaker, as you know, the Coast Guard is an invaluable branch of 
the United States military. The men and women of our Coast Guard keep 
our waters free of narcotics and illegal aliens, perform almost all of 
the search and rescue missions for the United States and provide 
security and safety in our waterways.
  This is just a small sampling of the duties performed by the Coast 
Guard. We all owe them a huge debt of gratitude for the services they 
provide.
  For 24 years, Commander Bernard has faithfully performed these and 
other duties in service to our great country. Prior to donning the 
Coast Guard uniform, Commander Bernard was also a proud U.S. Marine, 
where he served as an infantryman in Southeast Asia. He has spent more 
than half of his life in service to this nation and today, we are a 
grateful nation for his sacrifice.
  From his humble beginnings operating small boats as a coxswain to his 
assignment as liaison officer to the House of Representatives in 
Washington, Commander Bernard has performed each and every job as a 
true patriot.
  He quickly rose through the ranks of the Coast Guard and in 1979, he 
was accepted to Officer Candidate School. After receiving his 
commission, Al's first assignment was as a security officer at Training 
Center New York, Governors Island. Just a year later, he was promoted 
to First Lieutenant and deck watch officer on the USCGC Courageous, in 
Cape Canaveral, Florida. He was then chosen to be executive officer of 
USCGC Shearwater in Key West, Florida. In addition, was made the senior 
controller at the Pacific Area/Twelfth USCG District Rescue 
Coordination Center.
  From there, Al Bernard's military career skyrocketed. He received 
command of his first ship, the USCGC Nantucket, in Roosevelt roads, 
Puerto Rico. It should be noted that Al is the first American of Puerto 
Rican descent to command his own ship.
  Due to his exceptional abilities, Commander Bernard was relocated to 
Washington to serve his country at USCG Headquarters. He later received 
command of another cutter, the USCGC Citrus, which was homeported in 
Coos Bay, OR. After finishing another productive tour, he was made 
chief, Cutter Management Branch, Coast Guard Pacific Area in Alameda, 
California.
  While on duty in California, he was selected to attend the U.S. Naval 
War College, where he graduated with distinction, earning a Master of 
Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.
  Upon graduation, Commander Bernard was given his third command, the 
USCGC Decisive in St. Petersburg, Florida; he later crossdecked to 
USCGC Resolute.
  Most recently, he was selected in 1998 to become the liaison officer 
to the House of Representatives in Washington, where I can personally 
attest he has served every man and women who wears the Goast Guard 
uniform with great distinction.
  Over the course of his 24 years of service to the United States, 
Commander Bernard has demonstrated his versatility by serving 
brilliantly in both the military and legislative arenas. Al Bernard has 
been recognized for his achievements with numerous awards, such as the 
Bronze Star with ``V'' device for valor, the Purple Heart, and 
Meritorious Service Medal with an ``O'' device. He has also received 
seven Coast Guard Commendation Medals with ``O'' device, the Coast 
Guard Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon and various other 
awards.
  He was also selected as the 1989 recipient of the U.S. Navy League's 
Captain David Jarvis award for professional competence and 
inspirational leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in congratulating Command 
Al Bernard on an illustrious military career. Likewise, we salute his 
wonderful wife, Ann, and their two children, Jason and Bernadelle, who 
made the many sacrifices military families make in supporting their 
husband and father all these years. We wish Al the best of luck in all 
of his future endeavors, for he is truly a fine example for all 
Americans.

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