[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 25 (Friday, February 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E307-E308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE WORK AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MR. BRITT ``MAX'' MAYFIELD, 
DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER'S TROPICAL PREDICTION CENTER 
                          UPON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 7, 2007

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 72, which honors Dr. Britt ``Max'' Mayfield upon his retirement 
from his position as the Director of the National Hurricane Center. 
This resolution recognizes his leadership at the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration's Tropical Prediction Center.

[[Page E308]]

  Although we continue to mourn the loss of the thousands of victims 
who perished in Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, because of Max 
Mayfield's cool head and steady hand the lives of the countless 
thousands were saved since they were able to heed Dr. Mayfield's 
warnings and evacuate the area. His accurate forecasts and persistent 
warnings have hundreds of thousands of lives over the last three 
decades and it is fitting that we honor him today.
  Dr. Mayfield began working at the National Hurricane Center 34 years 
ago as an intern. Through hard work and demonstrated performance, Max 
Mayfield was promoted through the ranks of the National Hurricane 
Center: forecaster, senior forecaster, deputy director, and finally, 
director.
  His extensive work in the field of meteorology has earned him 
numerous awards. In 1996, the American Meteorological Society honored 
him for his outstanding performance as coordinator of the National 
Hurricane Center's hurricane preparedness training. In 2000, he 
received an Outstanding Achievement Award for his work in the 
development and expansion of educational opportunities for state and 
local emergency management officials. Dr. Mayfield has also been 
recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce with Gold and Silver 
Medals for his work during some of this nation's most destructive 
hurricanes.
  Dr. Mayfield retired one month ago, and we will surely miss his 
outstanding service and leadership at the National Hurricane Center. I 
thank the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Mahoney, for introducing this 
legislation to honor Dr. Max Mayfield for his dedication to meteorology 
and his 34 year career of distinguished service to NOAA and our nation. 
For these reasons, I strongly support H. Res. 72 and urge all members 
to do likewise.

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