[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 94 (Friday, July 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING USCG CAPTAIN RICK YATTO COMMANDING OFFICER OF AIR STATION CAPE 
                                  COD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 12, 2002

  Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
this Congress the accomplishments of Captain Rick Yatto of the United 
States Coast Guard. We extend our appreciation for his three years of 
outstanding service as Commanding Officer of Air Station Cape Cod.
  Today, Captain Yatto will step down as the Commanding Officer of the 
largest Air Station on the East Coast. It is an assignment that is one 
of the most difficult in the entire Coast Guard, with a unique set of 
challenges both at sea and on land.
  On the water, the Air Station provides law enforcement and search-
and-rescue coverage throughout much of the Northwest Atlantic, with a 
large boating and fishing community that operates in some of the most 
difficult conditions. In the past three years, the Air Station 
performed over 750 search-and-rescue cases and saved over 200 lives. On 
land, the Air Station is a large industrial complex spread out over 
1,400 acres, with over 600 housing units, a medical clinic, and dozens 
of buildings that support hundreds of Coast Guard and military 
families. The Air Station is also located on top of a fragile 
underground drinking water supply, located next to one of the largest 
Superfund sites in the country. The job is so large, that those who 
work and live at the base often see Captain Yatto as the local mayor.
  However, unlike politics, in the Coast Guard there is no margin for 
error. During Captain Yatto's tenure, the Air Station has not only had 
its fair share of daring rescues, it has successfully tackled a host of 
environmental challenges critical to the future of the installation. 
The Air Station's success in pollution prevention, innovative 
environmental management, and energy efficiency has won national 
recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of 
Transportation, and the White House.
  In my district, the Coast Guard is widely respected as the oldest 
maritime service in the country, with a tradition forever linked to the 
heritage of Cape Cod and the Islands. Many of the first Coast Guard 
stations were built on the Massachusetts coast, manned by brave men 
from local families with deep roots in our community. Their gallant 
deeds and heroics are not only a part of the Coast Guard's proud 
tradition, they are permanently etched into the communities and family 
histories of the people I represent.
  This explains why the Coast Guard is so much a part of our community, 
why there is so much local pride in its rich tradition and in the work 
they do today saving lives, protecting our fisheries, the marine 
environment and defending our homeland. That pride in our Coast Guard 
will continue as long as it is led by people like Captain Rick Yatto 
and served by the fine men and women of Air Station Cape Cod.
  On behalf of a very grateful constituency, Captain Yatto: ``Mission 
accomplished, and job well done.''

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