[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 89 (Tuesday, July 11, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING CAPTAIN JAMES MAES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 2006

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, July 14, 2006 the Coast 
Guard Sector Miami will be holding a Change of Command ceremony. The 
event will also be the retirement ceremony for Captain James Maes who 
will be retiring after 26 years of distinguished service in the United 
States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard represents the best in public 
service and selfless sacrifice for our fellow Americans, and I am proud 
to be a strong supporter of the Coast Guard's vital missions.
  An occasion such as this serves to remind us of the important role 
the Coast Guard serves in defending our national security, ensuring 
public safety, facilitating commerce, and protecting the environment. 
Many have contributed for the benefit of protecting our shores, for the 
safety of those who travel to and from our coastlines, and for the 
general support our law enforcement and maritime communities gain from 
key cooperation with the Coast Guard.
  Coast Guard Sector Miami is the first Sector in the history of the 
Coast Guard. It was established in Miami Beach on July 12, 2004. Sector 
Miami is one of the busiest and most dynamic operational units in the 
Coast Guard. The 650 active duty, reserve and civilian, men and women, 
and 1000 Auxiliary volunteers who make up Sector Miami continue in the 
long tradition of dedicated service in South Florida. That tradition 
dates back to 1876 when the U.S. Lifesaving Service established the 
Biscayne House of Refuge at a location near what is now 72nd and 
Collins on Miami Beach.
  Under Captain Maes' leadership, Coast Guard Sector Miami units saved 
hundreds of lives, and seized thousands of pounds of illicit drugs. 
Sector Miami implemented and enforced new port security requirements 
under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, the most 
sweeping regulatory changes for the Coast Guard since World War II. He 
fully integrated the Coast Guard into regional security operations 
during the Free Trade Area of the Americas in 2003, and the 
Organization of American States General Assembly in 2005. Captain Maes 
was the incident commander for rescue and recovery operations after the 
tragic Chalk's Flight 101 crash, the largest loss of life aviation 
disaster in the United States since 9/11. During the devastating 2004 
and 2005 hurricane seasons, Coast Guard Sector Miami made critical 
decisions to restore essential ports for commercial traffic, and open 
waterways for recreational boaters, as quickly and safely as possible.
  That is why I am pleased to call myself a supporter of the United 
States Coast Guard. I congratulate Captain Maes on his distinguished 
service, particularly the past 3 years in South Florida where he will 
leave a legacy of trust and cooperation among federal, state, local, 
volunteer, and marine industry partners. I would also like to welcome 
Captain Karl Schultz and look forward to the continued success of 
Sector Miami.

                          ____________________