[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF FRANCIS A. PETERLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 2004

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I 
rise today to recognize and honor the service and career of Mr. Francis 
A. Peterlin as he prepares to retire after forty-four years of 
distinguished service in support of our Nation. Throughout his career, 
Mr. Peterlin has epitomized the Navy's core values of honor, courage 
and commitment and has displayed exceptional leadership in the 
advancement of the Navy's military construction requirements within the 
Department of Defense and the Congress.
  In July 1960, Mr. Peterlin began serving his nation at the Department 
of Interior. In 1962, he chose a different path and entered the 
military in the Navy Reserves as a Civil Engineer Corps officer. While 
serving in June 1965 as Officer-in-Charge of SEABEE Technical 
Assistance Team 1104 in Dong Xoai, Vietnam, his unit was overrun by 
Republic of Vietnam Army forces. For his bravery and leadership during 
this encounter, Mr. Peterlin was awarded the Silver Star and Purple 
Heart medals along with the Navy Unit Commendation Medal for SEABEE 
Team 1104.
  Upon discharge from the hospital and military service in 1966, Mr. 
Peterlin began his 38-year association with the Naval Facilities 
Engineering Command as a Civil Engineer for the Resident Officer of 
Construction, Pacific in San Bruno, California. During this tour 
ROICCPAC was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its support of 
construction efforts in Southeast Asia.
  In 1969, he adopted the Commonwealth of Virginia as his home when he 
transferred to the Headquarters of the Naval Facilities Engineering 
Command located at the time in Alexandria, Virginia. In a succession of 
positions of increased responsibility Mr. Peterlin brought to this 
Command keen insight, attention to detail and a calm demeanor that 
fostered thoughtful and effective solutions. From 1969-1979, he was a 
civil engineer in the Interagency Construction Division providing 
project management for projects from various defense and federal 
agencies. In 1979, he became a Supervisory General Engineer in the 
Officer in Charge of Construction, Trident, Program supporting the 
construction of new homeports for Trident class submarines in Bangor, 
Washington, and Kings Bay, Georgia. From 1981-1991, he served as the 
Command's Congressional Advisor, providing professional advice to 
senior Navy officials testifying at Congressional hearings and 
dedicated and trusted support to the staffs of the Armed Service and 
the Military Construction Appropriation committees of both the House 
and Senate. He then served as a Division Head from 1991-1997, Deputy 
Director 1997-2002, and Director 2002 to the present of the Military 
Construction Directorate.
  His steadfast leadership and superb performance have won him numerous 
awards, including the Department of the Navy's Superior Civilian 
Service Award in 1988 and the Distinguished Civilian Service Award in 
1991. Mr. Peterlin completes his distinguished and honorable career in 
public service as Director of Military Construction, Naval Facilities 
Engineering Command responsible for the programming, budgeting, and 
construction of all Navy ashore facilities worldwide. He leaves behind 
a cadre of proteges that he has mentored into positions of leadership 
to carry on his legacy.
  I am pleased to recognize and thank Frank Peterlin for his long and 
dedicated service to this country and join with his friends and 
colleagues in wishing him ``Fair Winds and Following Seas'' as he and 
his wife Elena begin a well-earned retirement.

                          ____________________