[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S3156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN, SELECT, TARA L. LACAVERA, U.S. NAVY

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I wish to take this opportunity to recognize 
and say farewell to an outstanding Naval Officer, Captain, select, Tara 
L. LaCavera, upon her change of command from Naval Station Pascagoula. 
Throughout her career, Captain, select, LaCavera has served with 
distinction. It is my privilege to recognize her many accomplishments 
and to commend her for the superb service she has provided the Navy, 
the great State of Mississippi, and our Nation.
  Captain, Select, LaCavera began her career as a Fleet Support Officer 
in 1980 after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the 
University of Georgia and attending the Officer Candidate School in 
Newport, RI. She served with distinction early in her career as Message 
Center Officer on the staff of Commander, Oceanographic Systems Command 
Atlantic; Regional Evaluation Center Watch Officer and Surveillance 
Training Operational Procedures Standardization at Naval Facility 
Brawdy, Wales, UK; Fleet Telecommunications Officer, Naval 
Telecommunications Area Master Station, Naples, Italy; and Intelligence 
Officer at Commander Naval Allied Forces Mediterranean, Naples, Italy. 
Later assignments included Administrative Department Head and Public 
Affairs Officer at NAS Whiting Field, FL; Protocol Officer and Special 
Assistant to the Commander, Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; 
and Executive Officer, Naval Station Norfolk, VA. She received a Master 
of Science degree in International Affairs from Troy State University 
in 1990 and was selected as a 1994 Federal Executive Fellow at the John 
F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
  As Commanding Officer, Naval Station Pascagoula, Captain, select, 
LaCavera's foresight during the planning and execution of numerous 
construction projects greatly enhanced the quality of life for the many 
Sailors of the home ported ships and tenant commands. The results 
include construction of a new Gulf Coast USO and Learning Resource 
Center, major expansions of the Fire Department and cardio-fitness 
center/gymnasium, addition of an on-base service station, and site 
selection for an off-base military housing project. She was responsible 
for the intense coordination and certification procedures required for 
the unprecedented full weapons off-load of the USS COLE, DDG 67, that 
entailed the safe handling of 86.3 thousand pounds of explosives from 
the severely damaged destroyer. After the terrorist attack of September 
11, 2001, Captain, select, LaCavera immediately executed an increased 
security posture, utilizing recalled reservist, auxiliary security 
force personnel, and available base assets to provide harbor patrol and 
protection for home ported ships and other pre-commissioning units 
located at Ingalls Shipyard. Her strong guidance and leadership ensured 
that Naval Station Pascagoula's personnel, facilities, and weapons 
platforms were well protected.
  Throughout her distinguished career, Captain, select, LaCavera has 
served the United States Navy and the nation with pride and excellence. 
She has been an integral member of, and contributed greatly to, the 
best-trained, best-equipped, and best-prepared naval force in the 
history of the world. Captain, select, LaCavera's superb leadership, 
integrity, and limitless energy have had a profound impact on Naval 
Station Pascagoula and will continue to positively impact the United 
States Navy and our nation. Captain, select, LaCavera relinquishes her 
command on April 25, 2002 and reports as Chief Staff Officer, Naval 
Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, VA where she will continue her 
successful career. On behalf of my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle, I wish Captain, select, LaCavera ``Fair Winds and Following 
Seas.''

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