[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MR. WILLIAM BENEDETTO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Mr. William 
Benedetto, who was recently the first Oregonian to be awarded the 2006 
U.S. Maritime Literature Award for his book Sailing Into the Abyss.
  Mr. Benedetto's service to this country began when he enlisted in the 
U.S. Coast Guard after finishing high school in Maine in 1946. During 
his time with the Coast Guard, Mr. Benedetto served on every coast in 
the areas of search and rescue, port security and with the U.S. 
Merchant Marine. He was commended by the Coast Guard for performing 
rescue operations when Hurricane Betsy hit New Orleans in 1965.
  Mr. Benedetto retired from the Coast Guard in 1974 after moving to 
Oregon and beginning his college career. He graduated from Portland 
State University in 1977 and from the University of Oregon Law School 
in 1980. After practicing law for 20 years, Mr. Benedetto retired and 
completed his longtime goal of writing a book. Sailing Into the Abyss 
was published in 2005 and was awarded the 2006 U.S. Maritime Literature 
Award in June of this year.
  I believe I speak for the great State of Oregon when I say we are 
proud to call Mr. Benedetto a writer, a serviceman, and an honorable 
citizen of our State and country.
  Congratulations Mr. Benedetto.

                          ____________________