[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 40 (Friday, March 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO YEOMAN SECOND CLASS MONTELL L. GWINN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. C. W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 2004

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay 
tribute to an outstanding enlisted sailor, Yeoman Second Class, Montell 
L. Gwinn, as he prepares to complete his service to our Nation in the 
United States Navy. It is a great honor for me to take this opportunity 
to thank YN2 Gwinn and his family for his 7 years of distinguished and 
dedicated service to our Nation for which he has proudly and selflessly 
served in the defense of freedom.
  I came to know this sailor while he was assigned to the Navy's 
Appropriations Liaison Office. In this capacity, he served as a liaison 
for me, for the members of my staff, and for the professional staff of 
the Appropriations Committee I chair to the Secretary of the Navy and 
the Chief of Naval Operations. He also accompanied me on several trips 
as I investigated the health and welfare of our troops stationed here 
and throughout the world. In all cases, YN2 Gwinn performed his duties 
in the most professional manner. He was particularly invaluable in 
providing great personal insight as an enlisted sailor, giving 
tremendous input on issues affecting the sailors and their families. 
His candor, intelligence, and steadfast devotion to duty, was a 
tremendous asset to me in my deliberations regarding our most prized 
commodity within our Armed Forces, the men and women of our all-
volunteer force.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize YN2 Gwinn for his 
distinguished service to our Nation. Montell is symbolic of the spirit 
of our Nation's all volunteer force. My wife Beverly and I have the 
highest respect for him and all those who serve in uniform in defense 
of freedom. Without their dedicated service, we would not be ``the land 
of the free'' were we not also the ``home of the brave.'' My colleagues 
and I want to express our thanks and appreciation for the special 
contribution YN2 Gwinn has made to the United States Navy and the 
special insight he has provided me and the members of my Committee. We 
also wish Montell and his family continued success and the traditional 
naval wish of ``fair winds and following seas'' as he closes out his 
distinguished military career.

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