[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 70 (Monday, May 12, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6026-S6027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RETIREMENT OF CAPTAIN NICHOLAS PERUGINI

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I would like to express my 
appreciation and congratulations to Captain Nicholas Perugini of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Commissioned 
Corps on the occasion of his retirement. For more than 26 years, 
Captain Perugini has dedicated himself to the protection of our 
Nation's oceans and maritime commerce through his exemplary work in 
NOAA's charting program. He has served aboard three hydrographic survey 
vessels and a shore-based field party. As commanding officer of the 
NOAA ship Rude, Nick was in charge of the survey investigation into the 
grounding of the Queen Elizabeth 2. He was also a member of NOAA teams 
that assisted in the recovery of the TWA flight 800 and John F. Kennedy 
Jr. crash sites which occurred off the East Coast of the United States. 
Captain Perugini's commitment and leadership during these sensitive 
projects are an example of public service at its best. Nick 
consistently put aside ego and personal glory to do what is best for 
the Nation.

[[Page S6027]]

  Captain Perugini now concludes his career as chief of NOAA's Marine 
Chart Division. A direct result of his tenure as chief was a 
significant advancement in the longstanding partnership between NOAA 
and the Coast Guard concerning safety of navigation issues. His vision 
and leadership led to the advances of new technologies, moving paper 
charting to the electronic world. Today, mariners know their location, 
in real time, on an electronic navigation system. This advance was not 
possible in the paper chart world.
  With his guidance, NOAA and the Coast Guard entered into a Memorandum 
of Agreement, which pooled agency resources and greatly accelerated the 
production of Electronic Navigational Charts, ENC. He made the ENC data 
available to the public free, via the internet. This relationship not 
only saved tax dollars, but the improved navigational tools have 
greatly increased the safety of navigation. Captain Perugini's work has 
resulted in a significant reduction in marine accidents, which has 
saved lives, property, and our environment from degradation.
  From July 1998 to August 1999, I was pleased to have Nick as a member 
of my congressional staff as a legislative fellow. His amazing work 
ethic, interpersonal skills, commitment to the job, knowledge of 
maritime issues, and gracious humility made him an integral part of my 
office. I want to thank him for his work and commitment to our Nation.
  I congratulate Captain Nicholas Perugini on his exemplary career and 
wish him, his wife Lisa, their daughter Katie, and their son Nicholas 
my best. Through his tireless efforts, he has made a difference and has 
helped to protect the marine environment and promote safe maritime 
commerce that is vital to our Nation's prosperity.

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