[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING LIEUTENANT ANDREW PATE FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF 
           REPRESENTATIVES AND THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2008

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Lieutenant Andrew Pate for his service to the U.S. House of 
Representatives and the United States Coast Guard.
  As some of you may know, Lieutenant Pate was detailed to the Coast 
Guard's House Liaison office in July of 2006, and I am proud to have 
had the opportunity to work closely with him over the past two years. 
My colleagues, staff, and I have valued his knowledge and understanding 
of the Coast Guard's operational missions, day-to-day challenges, and 
roles and responsibilities.
  Lieutenant Andrew Leigh Pate is a native of Wesley Chapel, Florida. 
In the summer of 1998 he enrolled at the United States Coast Guard 
Academy, with summer duty assignments onboard Coast Guard cutters 
Northland, Eagle and Drummond. First elected as Treasurer of his 
Academy Class in 1998, Lieutenant Pate has served continuously as 
President of his Academy Class since the spring of 2000.
  In May of 2002, Lieutenant Pate graduated from the Academy with a 
Bachelor's degree in Government. His first assignment was onboard the 
High Endurance Cutter USCGC Gallatin (WHEC 721) home ported in 
Charleston, South Carolina. While onboard Gallatin, Lieutenant Pate 
served in a variety of positions including Assistant Operations 
Officer, Combat Information Center Officer, and Maritime Law 
Enforcement Boarding Officer. His tour highlights include the 
interdiction and repatriation of over 570 Haitian migrants during 
Operations Able Manner and Able Sentry.
  In June of 2004, Lieutenant Pate transferred to Fort Myers Beach, 
Florida as the fourth Commanding Officer of the 87-foot Coastal Patrol 
Boat USCGC Marlin (WPB 87304). From June 2004 to July 2006, Marlin 
successfully conducted over 250 law enforcement boardings in an 
operational area covering more than 108,000 square miles. These efforts 
resulted in the apprehension of 10 wanted fugitives, the voyage 
termination of 18 commercial fishing vessels for hazardous safety 
conditions and the interdiction and repatriation of over 150 Cuban 
migrants attempting to illegally enter the United States. Under 
Lieutenant Pate's command, Marlin safely evaded six major Hurricanes 
and conducted a total of 21 Search and Rescue cases saving the lives of 
50 people.
  Two years ago, Lieutenant Pate reported to the Hill as an Assistant 
House Liaison Officer for the Coast Guard. Since arriving in 2006, 
Lieutenant Pate has worked tirelessly to provide Members of Congress 
and their staff with timely, accurate, and detailed information needed 
to fulfill their duties. Through his careful planning and execution of 
dozens of Congressional Delegation trips and hundreds of briefings, 
Lieutenant Pate clearly articulated Coast Guard views in support of 
needed authorities and appropriations, working constructively with the 
Congress to ensure careful stewardship of resources.
  On July 14, 2008, Lieutenant Pate will leave his post in the House 
Liaison Office and report to the Office of Senator Roger Wicker (MS) 
for a one-year assignment as a Military Fellow.
  I am proud to know and pay tribute to him in the United States 
Congress. On behalf of the Representatives and staff who have been 
fortunate enough to know and work with Andrew, I wish him, his wife 
Kristen, and their son Aidan, clear skies and following seas.

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