[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 132 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING MR. MAX MAYFIELD, DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER 
                     FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2006

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration announced that Mr. Max Mayfield, Director of 
the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida would be retiring in 
January 2007.
  I want to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and all the 
Democratic Members of the Committee on Science to thank Mr. Mayfield 
for his service to our nation and to wish him well in his future 
endeavors.
  Mr. Mayfield will be missed. He has served our nation with 
distinction for over 30 years. Mr. Mayfield is well known to all of our 
citizens, especially those in hurricane-prone areas. Mr. Mayfield's 
leadership of his forecasting team at the National Hurricane Center, 
his clear presentation of hurricane forecasts, and his abilities to 
coordinate and communicate with local emergency management personnel 
resulted in countless saved lives and better informed communities.
  Prior to the tragic events resulting from Hurricane Katrina, the 
National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center--under the 
Directorship of Mr. Mayfield--did an excellent job of predicting the 
track of the storm and issuing watches and warnings that permitted 
state and local officials to evacuate many of the people who were in 
the path of this devastating storm.
  The active hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 demonstrated the 
tireless dedication of Mr. Mayfield and his team, each of whom worked 
tirelessly to refine and deliver forecasts of the tracks and 
intensities of the storms that threatened our coasts.
  Max Mayfield has set a high standard for future Directors of the 
Hurricane Center. I suspect he will continue to be involved in 
meteorology through his membership in the American Meteorological 
Society, and I can think of no better mentor and teacher for current 
and future meteorological professionals.
  Thank you again, Mr. Mayfield, for your work at the National Weather 
Service. Your knowledge, experience and sound direction have been 
assets to the safety of our nation and the security of our citizens.

                          ____________________