[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF COMMANDER DEIDRE McLAY'S SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO 
                         THE UNITED STATES NAVY

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                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 27, 2005

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions 
of a great American, Commander Deidre McLay. I honor her today for her 
service to our nation in the United States Navy.
  Commander McLay recently assumed command of the USS Farragut, which 
is the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer. CDR. 
McLay is only the sixth woman in naval history to command a destroyer 
and is the first commanding officer of the USS Farragut and its 383 
officers and enlisted personnel.
  Commander McLay is from Boulder City, Nevada and was commissioned via 
the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program in 1986. She 
graduated from the University of Colorado with a B.S. in Civil 
Engineering. While serving in the United States Navy, she has earned a 
Masters of Science in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate 
School in Monterey, California and a Masters degree in National 
Security Affairs from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
  Commander McLay's most recent operational assignment was as Chief 
Staff Officer, Destroyer Squadron Thirty-One, where she deployed as 
part of the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group for Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
During her earlier tour as Executive Officer in USS Spruance DD 963 she 
was deployed for six months to Standing Naval Force Mediterranean, 
operating with ships of eight NATO nations.
  Commander McLay has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the 
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps 
Commendation Medal, and various service and campaign awards.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and heartfelt gratitude that I 
salute Commander McLay for her service and dedication to our great 
nation.

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