[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO CALIFORNIA MARITIME PRESIDENT JERRY ASPLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2001

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring 
to the attention of my colleagues another milestone in the seventy-two 
year history of the California Maritime Academy, located in the City of 
Vallejo in my district of California. In furthering its mission of 
supporting the maritime interests of the United States, Cal Maritime 
receives federal assistance, primarily in the form of its training 
ship, the T.S. Golden Bear. Many of its graduates become licensed 
officers on merchant marine vessels, or in the U.S. Navy or Coast 
Guard. As a federally designated regional maritime academy for the 
Western states, Cal Maritime is the maritime college of choice for 
students from California, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona, and 
other western states.
  On June 30, 2001, California Maritime Academy President Jerry A. 
Aspland will retire, completing five years at the helm of this fine 
institution. President Aspland, a Cal Maritime graduate, had previously 
retired from his position as President of Arco Marine, Inc., when the 
California State University system called him to begin a second career 
as one of the nation's leading maritime educators. He assumed the 
position of President of Cal Maritime on July 1, 1996.
  President Aspland's tenure has been marked by numerous advances for 
the institution. Cal Maritime has become fully involved with the CSU 
system, as its twenty-second campus. Enrollment has nearly doubled. 
Numerous improvements to their facilities have been completed on his 
watch, including the recent opening of a new, state-of-the art 
laboratory building, infrastructure and technology replacement and 
upgrading, seismic retrofits, and the acquisition of additional 
training vessels. Ground will be broken soon for a new technology 
center on the campus. A second annual summer training cruise has been 
introduced, thereby doubling the number of training billets. Academic 
programs have been expanded, and further options are in the planning 
stages. Under his leadership, Cal Maritime was the first U.S. maritime 
academy to receive preliminary approval for having its educational 
program meet the requirements of the international Standards for 
Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping. A new strategic plan has 
just been published, and the institution is in readiness for its next 
academic accreditation visit scheduled this fall.
  By any measure the Aspland years at the California Maritime Academy 
have been years of accomplishment in every aspect of this distinguished 
academic institution. I invite my colleagues to share my great pride in 
all that Cal Maritime has contributed and continues to contribute to 
its students, graduates, and to the maritime interests of the Unite 
States.
  Finally, on behalf of the constituents of my district and my 
colleagues here in this chamber, I wish to extend to President Jerry 
Aspland our deeply felt appreciation for all that has been accomplished 
on his watch, along with our very best wishes for the happy, healthy 
retirement that he and his wife, Carol, have earned and so richly 
deserve.

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