[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 150 (Thursday, October 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2007

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss a very serious 
issue facing the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
  On July 15, 2007 aboard the United States Coast Guard barque Eagle 
training vessel, a Third Class male minority cadet returned from watch 
to his stateroom to find a small noose in his bag. The next morning at 
an all-hands muster, the cadet stepped forward to show the entire crew 
the noose and make clear that he was offended by it. Although the 
person responsible could not be identified, the commander of the Eagle 
held an ``all hands'' meeting to outline the clear standards of conduct 
and expectations for Coast Guard cadets. The Academy followed up by 
conducting race-relations training for all cadets. Alarmingly, the 
officer conducting the training later found a noose in her office as 
well.
  I recently had the opportunity to speak to the Commandant of the 
United States Coast Guard, Admiral Thad Allen, to express my concern 
over these incidents. Racism and hate have no place at our military 
academies, on our academic campuses or in our society. Our discussion 
made it clear to me that the Coast Guard takes this matter seriously, 
and is working to get to the root of the problem and identify the 
perpetrators. The Coast Guard Investigative Service is currently 
reviewing this matter and I am confident that they will do all they can 
to ensure that those responsible for these hateful acts are held 
accountable for their actions.
  We must make clear that actions like this have no place at the Coast 
Guard Academy--a facility that is shaping future officers responsible 
for the protection of our nation. The image of the noose is an enduring 
symbol of the brutal lynching that occurred in the south during the 
civil rights era and its powerful effect should not be taken lightly 
nor its evocation tolerated. It is important that the Coast Guard, and 
our society, sends a strong message to these misinformed individuals 
that there is zero tolerance for racism and hate.
  The Coast Guard Academy has always held the highest standard of 
academic excellence and world-class training for those who protect our 
shores. The Coast Guard's core values of honor, respect and devotion to 
duty are more than simple words--they are a way of life that the 
Academy strives to en grain in every cadet.
  A vast majority of the cadets represent the best the Coast Guard and 
our nation have to offer: bright, dedicated young men and women who 
demonstrate tolerance and respect for each other, regardless of race or 
background. Those who do not meet the Coast Guard's core values simply 
have no place at its Academy.

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