[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 84 (Monday, June 18, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN RICHARD J. PARISH, USN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE SCARBOROUGH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 18, 2001

  Mr. SCARBOROUGH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man 
who has dedicated more than 30 years of his life to protecting the 
people of this great nation through his service in the United States 
Navy. This gentleman has distinguished himself as a decorated officer, 
a community leader, a trusted advisor, and as a personal friend. The 
man I speak about today is Captain Richard J. Parish, who is retiring 
from the United States Navy.
  Captain Parish is currently the Director of Office Training and 
Education/NROTC Program Manager on the staff of the Chief of Naval 
Education and Training in Pensacola, Florida. I could praise Captain 
Parish for his many successes as Commander of the Naval Surface Warfare 
Center at Coastal Systems Station, Commanding Officer of U.S.S. Samuel 
Eliot Morison, or his numerous other assignments throughout his storied 
career. I could mention his many awards, including the Defense Superior 
Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the 
Navy Commendation Medal, and many others. Or I could applaud his 
academic achievements, including a Master's Degree in Financial 
Management from the naval Postgraduate School. However, I'm sure 
Captain Parish would say that all of these were just part of his duty.
  Mr. Speaker, not only has Captain Parish been an outstanding Naval 
officer, he's also been a great friend and advisor. Whether through his 
assignment at CNET at NAS Pensacola, or his extraordinary tenure as 
Commander of Coastal Systems Station, Captain Parish has been an 
engaged and effective leader as well as a great source of advice and 
counsel to me on issues related to the Navy. I have looked to Dick 
Parish on many occasions for his unvarnished opinion on the issues 
affecting our nation's armed forces. As a member of the House Armed 
Services Committee over the past seven years, such insight has proven 
invaluable to me. Although I too will be leaving my post in the near 
future, I look forward to continuing our friendship.
  Mr. Speaker, I join Captain Parish's many friends and colleagues in 
wishing him all the best as he embarks on this new phase of his life. 
Northwest Florida and the greater Navy community are fortunate to have 
had Captain Richard J. Parish serve them with honor and distinction. I 
want to thank my friend Dick Parish for his service to our great nation 
and to our local community, and wish him success and happiness now and 
always.

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