[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1202-S1203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNITION OF CAROL CURTISS

 Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
fellow Texan Carol Curtiss, who has recently made a truly remarkable 
and unprecedented achievement. She is a Merchant Mariner who is the 
first woman ever to earn both a Chief Engineer's license and an 
unlimited Master's license. The U.S. Coast Guard has determined that 
she is one of only three merchant mariners in the country to achieve 
both these distinctions. Those who complete and accomplish the rigorous 
training and sea time required for gaining such status, are forever 
known as Master Mariners.
  Carol entered the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY in 
1976, which was the School's third year accepting women. She was 
attracted to the Merchant Marine Academy because of her love of travel, 
a love developed

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as a child when her family lived overseas while her father served in 
the Air Force.
  Women normally pursued careers on the deck side. However, Carol 
strove to be in the engine room, and decided to defy convention and 
maximize her talents in the Academy's arduous dual license program. 
Most participants in the dual program focus on a single department, 
deck or engine, but Carol earned her degree on a variety of 
technologies. She graduated as a Third Engineer and Third Mate in 1980, 
with honors.
  Soon after, she became a member of the Marine Engineers' Beneficial 
Association and started a long and successful career sailing as both an 
engineer and mate, on a variety of vessel types. Last year, Carol 
earned her Master's license, enabling her to captain a ship of any 
size. This year, she gained entry to an even more elite group when she 
successfully earned her unlimited Chief Engineer's license.
  In addition, Carol and her husband are both volunteer firefighters. 
At sea, Carol is the on-scene commander during all emergency 
situations. She felt that if she was accountable for training seamen 
how to fight fires, it would be best to have firsthand experience, not 
just training.
  Carol has ascended to the pinnacle of her profession after two 
decades of seafaring, a rare achievement reserved for an exceptional 
person and first-class marine officer. I congratulate Carol for earning 
such a high and honorable status in her career and service.

                          ____________________