[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 127 (Tuesday, October 4, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10971-S10972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO COMMANDER KEVIN S. BRENNAN, USN

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to 
an outstanding Naval Officer, Commander Kevin Brennan, who has served 
so admirably and faithfully as a liaison to our Appropriations 
Committee on Defense. I want to recognize his superb service to our 
Nation and the Navy as he leaves our Nation's Capital to take command 
of an operational aviation squadron.
  On behalf of my colleagues on the Defense Appropriations 
subcommittee, I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his 
dedicated and faithful service in pursuing the best for our men and 
women of the Navy.
  As the Navy's primary appropriations matters liaison for aviation and 
weapons matters, Kevin has been an invaluable asset for the Secretary 
of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations, as well as a wealth of 
knowledge for my personal staff over the past 3\1/2\ years.
  In addition to providing timely and accurate information on budget 
matters and emerging war fighting requirements, CDR Brennan has 
personally escorted my staff and the subcommittee professional staff on 
numerous trips to review military operations and confirm the health and 
welfare of our troops, on the front lines as well as when they return 
home from action. He provided keen insight on matters of national 
security and naval aviation's current readiness status, and the direct 
relationship between the two. His perspective on the needs of the 
Nation with respect to our sea service has provided me with the clarity 
and detail I needed to make important decisions regarding 
appropriations for the Department of Defense in pursuing the Nation's 
global war on terrorism.
  In addition to the respect for the work Commander Brennan did in 
representing the Navy, I would like to thank him for his congenial 
demeanor and great sense of humor that he shared with all of us. It is 
his same sense of purpose and professionalism that I am confident will 
enable him to be a tremendous role model for those who serve under his 
command.
  It is my honor to recognize Commander Brennan for his distinguished 
service to our Nation. My wife Lynda and I have the highest respect for 
those who serve in uniform, and I appreciate and honor all the men and 
women who have served in the defense of freedom. Recalling our national 
anthem, to our veterans and Armed Forces, I say, we would not be ``the 
land of the free'' if we were not also `` the home of the brave.''

[[Page S10972]]

  In closing, I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in expressing our 
deep appreciation for the numerous contributions Commander Brennan has 
made on behalf of our Navy. We wish Kevin, his lovely wife Pamela and 
their four children continued success and the traditional naval wish of 
``Fair winds and following seas'' as he closes out his service to the 
Congress and continues toward the pinnacle of Naval service, command at 
sea! BRAVO ZULU shipmate!

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