[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E324-E325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MR. MICHAEL J. QUIRK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2003

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of this 
nation's most dedicated citizens, Michael J. Quirk. At a time when the 
President is encouraging all Americans to serve their country in a 
volunteer capacity, there is no greater example than that of Mr. Quirk. 
For over 30 years he fought for this nation in the United States 
military and for

[[Page E325]]

the past 22 years, he has continued his dedication to his nation be 
serving as a volunteer in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. On 
March 8th, 2003, the Coast Guard Auxiliary will honor over a half of a 
decade of service as Mr. Quirk begins his retirement.
  During World War II, Mr. Quirk was a member of the famed 56th Fighter 
Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps and achieved the status of Double-Ace. 
Shot down on his 100th mission, he was subsequently held as a prisoner-
of-war at Stalag Luft I, Barth, Germany until April, 1945. For his 
commitment and bravery in the Second World War, he received the Silver 
Star and was additionally awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he 
suffered when his plane was shot down.
  Mr. Quirk returned to the U.S. in 1945 where he entered Catholic 
University and pursued his degree. In 1947 though, the call to serve 
his nation yearned in his heart and he returned to military, joining 
the U.S. Air Force where he would remain for the next 30 years. Over 
the course of his career in the U.S. Air Force, he flew with the 4th 
Fighter Group flying F-80 Shooting Stars, at Langley Air Force Base 
flying F-86 Sabre jets, in La Paz, Bolivia training Bolivian pilots to 
fly the P-47, and served at the Central Air Defense Force from 1951-52. 
In addition, he was the Commander of the 87th Fighter Interceptor 
Squadron and flew with the 453rd Tactical Fighter Training Wing. After 
over 30 years of military service, Mr. Quirk retired from the U.S. Air 
Force as a Colonel in 1977.
  Shortly thereafter, Mr. Quirk and his wife Kit joined the U.S. Coast 
Guard Auxiliary as members of the voluntary division of the U.S. Coast 
Guard. Rising through the ranks, he was named Commodore of the 8th 
Coastal Region in 1990.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my sincere and heartfelt 
congratulations to Mr. Michael J. Quirk on his retirement from the U.S. 
Coast Guard Auxiliary. His contributions to the United States of 
America are significant and impressive and I consider him a patriot of 
the highest order. On this such occasion, we honor one of America's 
greatest citizens; a committed soldier and dedicated volunteer.

                          ____________________