[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO COMMANDER JEFF TAYLOR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2003

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to our country are 
exceptional. The United States has been fortunate to have dynamic and 
dedicated military personnel who willingly and unselfishly dedicate 
their lives to service and make our country a safer place to live and 
work. Navy Commander Jeff Taylor is one of these individuals. On July 
21, 2003, he will be honored as he retires from the U.S. Navy.
  Jeff was raised in Southern California and graduated from Southern 
California College with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1978. 
After working for three years for a major defense contractor in Newport 
Beach, California, he accepted an appointment to Naval Officer 
Candidate School and received his commission in 1981.
  Commander Taylor first served as the Combat Information Center 
Officer aboard the USS Cochrane based in Yokosuka, Japan and as the 
Fire Control Officer and Main Propulsion Assistant on the USS Leahy 
based in San Diego, California. He also served as an instructor at the 
Surface Warfare Officers School in Coronado teaching combat systems and 
ship control curriculum.
  After completing Department Head School, Commander Taylor served as 
Chief Engineering Officer on the USS Worden based in Pearl Harbor, 
Hawaii. During this time he participated in Operations Desert Shield 
and Storm. Jeff also served as Maintenance Officer at Assault Craft 
Unit 5 at Camp Pendleton, California where he directed maintenance and 
repair of Navy hovercraft and subsequently served as an Engineering 
Branch Head and instructor at the Surface Warfare Officers School in 
Newport, Rhode Island. Jeff then returned to sea duty as Executive 
Officer on the USS Kidd based in Norfolk, Virginia and later served as 
Chief Staff Officer for Destroyer Squadrons 20 and 32.
  Upon completing his sea duty, Jeff reported to the Naval Surface 
Warfare Center, Corona Division in March of 1999. Commander Taylor also 
earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration and a Diploma from 
the United States Naval War College. His personal decorations include 
the Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Commendation Medals.
  Commander Taylor is happily married to his wife Bonnie and enjoys 
surfing and long distance running in his spare time.
  Jeff's lifetime dedication to military service has contributed 
immensely to the betterment of our country and I am proud to call him a 
fellow community member, American and friend. I know that many 
community members are grateful for his service and salute him as he 
retires.

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