[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 102 (Thursday, June 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1276-E1277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING JACK DOWNEY, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD MASTER CHIEF 
                            BOATSWAIN'S MATE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2008

  Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I rise today so that my colleagues in 
the House of Representatives can join me in honoring the exemplary 
career of a distinguished member of the United States Coast Guard, and 
a good friend of mine--Master Chief Boatswain's Mate John E. ``Jack'' 
Downey, Ancient Keeper.
   Jack Downey has led an exemplary career, having served in the United 
States Coast Guard for over 40 years. His familiarity with the 
treacherous local waters around Cape Cod is legendary. He has brought 
that knowledge to a wide variety of operational, command, and staff 
assignments over the years, including five Officer-In-Charge multi-
mission ashore assignments, two Officer-In-Charge afloat assignments, 
and a position as a rescue boat crewman for water take-offs and 
landings.
   In 1984, he served as Officer-In-Charge at Station Woods Hole. After 
a stint in command of Coast Guard Cutter Towline, a 65-foot harbor tug/
icebreaker, Jack returned to the Cape to take control of Coast Guard 
Station Chatham, which is located on the elbow of Cape Cod. In Chatham, 
as my friend and colleague Mr. Oberstar already noted, upon taking 
command, Jack faced a fishing community that had lost faith in the 
Coast Guard. In a very short period of time, Jack made the Chatham 
station one of the finest in the Coast Guard and quickly won the 
respect of the entire Cape Cod fishing community. Downey would also 
serve as Officer-In-Charge of Station Brant Point in Nantucket and 
would eventually return to Woods Hole in 2005 to take command of Coast 
Guard Cutter Hammerhead.
   It is without question that Jack has served honorably in all of his 
assignments and has been given numerous awards. Most notably, Jack 
became the first recipient of the Joshua James Keeper Award--the 
``Ancient Keeper'', which is given to Coast Guard members in 
recognition of their longevity of service and their outstanding 
performance in boat forces

[[Page E1277]]

operations. Joshua James, referred to as the world's most celebrated 
lifesaver, rescued over 600 people during his 60 years of service in 
the 1800s. Jack embodies the traits of Joshua James--traits that all 
Coast Guardsmen aspire to.
   Additionally, the Coast Guard presented to Jack the Meritorious 
Service Medal with a gold star and operational distinguishing device, 
the Coast Guard Commendation Medal with three gold stars and 
operational distinguishing device, and the Letter of Commendation with 
operational distinguishing device. Jack was also awarded the 
prestigious Navy League Douglas A. Munro Award for his inspirational 
leadership and professional competence.
   A friend of mine, Retired Rear Admiral Jack Linnon, once called Jack 
Downey an Officer-in-Charge that he would entrust his own child to; a 
fact that is especially touching considering the dangers of the 
profession. ``Youngsters turned over to his charge,'' Linnon said, 
``when transferred, had grown both in their professional development 
but also in maturity.'' Jack's greatest legacy may not be his personal 
heroics, but the wisdom, guidance and experience he has shared with 
innumerable Coast Guardsmen, from cadets to commanders.
   Since 2006, Jack has served as the District One Command Master Chief 
at the First District Headquarters in Boston. By leaving this position, 
the Coast Guard loses one of its finest, most talented men. He has 
earned the respect and admiration from us and from people throughout 
New England. On behalf of a very grateful constituency, I want to say 
thank you to Jack and congratulations on a job well done.

                          ____________________