[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 82 (Monday, June 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MR. ROBERT L. PANEK

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                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 20, 2005

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay 
tribute to Mr. Robert L. Panek, who retired from the Senior Executive 
Service, in the Department of the Navy, on June 3rd, 2005. Mr. Panek's 
long and highly distinguished career spans nearly 34 years of Federal 
Service and eclipses 27 years of dedicated service in the Office of the 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller).
  A native of Oceanside, New York, Mr. Panek received a Bachelor of 
Science degree, a Naval Reserve commission, and a Merchant Marine Third 
Officer's license from the Maritime College of the State University of 
New York, before entering Federal Service in 1971.
  Excelling as a management intern with the Naval Ordnance Systems 
Command, budget analyst in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems Project 
Office, financial management advisor to the Deputy Chief of Naval 
Material, and budget analyst/branch head in the Department of the Navy 
(DoN) Budget Policy and Procedures Directorate, Mr. Panek was appointed 
to the Senior Executive Service (SES) in July 1986. As a SES officer, 
his breadth of responsibilities grew to encompass nearly every facet of 
the DoN budget to include setting policies and procedures for the 
formulation and execution of the DoN budget; directing DoN budget 
operations; and overseeing Investment, Research & Development, 
Construction, and Acquisition accounts. In December 1994, Mr. Panek's 
exemplary career culminated in his selection as the Associate Director, 
Office of Budget with responsibility for the formulation, presentation 
and execution of the DoN budget. In this position he achieved the grade 
of Senior Executive Service, Level 6 and also served as Special 
Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management 
and Comptroller).
  Mr. Panek's devotion to duty, financial acumen, and commitment to the 
Navy-Marine Corps Team have made our Nation safer and our Navy and 
Marine Corps Stronger. He has been awarded numerous performance awards 
and citations throughout his career to include the Department of the 
Navy Superior Civilian Service Award in December 1988, the Presidential 
Meritorious Rank Award in 1993, and the Department of the Navy 
Distinguished Civilian Service Award in 2001. His selflessness, 
exemplary conduct, and commitment to a cause greater than himself is 
memorialized in his parting email to his shipmates in the Department of 
the Navy in which he reminded them--``Finally, please always, always 
remember that we do this for our Sailors and Marines that go in harm's 
way.''
  It is fitting and altogether appropriate to recognize Mr. Panek's 
contributions to the DoN at the same time that we consider the Fiscal 
Year 2006 Defense Appropriations Act. Our Nation and the Department of 
the Navy have been made better through the talent and dedication of Mr. 
Robert L. Panek. I know all of my colleagues join me in congratulating 
Bob, his wife Susan, and their two daughters, on the completion of an 
outstanding career. While his service to our Nation will be missed, he 
has left a legacy of high standards and superbly trained professionals 
in his wake. We wish him fair winds and following seas!

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