[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 113 (Thursday, July 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING U.S. COAST GUARD CAPTAIN ROBERT W. DURFEY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 2008

  Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I rise today so that my colleagues in 
the House of Representatives can join me in honoring the notable career 
of a distinguished member of the United States Coast Guard, and a 
constituent, Captain Robert W. Durfey, Jr.
  Captain Durfey has led an exemplary career, having served in the 
United States Coast Guard for over 30 years. He has amassed a vast 
institutional knowledge after decades of experience in a wide variety 
of operational, command, and staff assignments. In addition, his 
dedication to his fellow man and community is deep and ingrained, as 
evidenced by his volunteer work rebuilding housing for victims of 
Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
  Captain Durfey graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1978 
with a Bachelor of Science in History/Government. In 1994, he earned 
his Masters in Public Administration from the J.F.K. School of 
Government at Harvard University. He has served at six Air Stations and 
five Groups along the west, gulf and east coasts as well as Puerto 
Rico. He has logged over 4800 helicopter flight hours and has flown 
more than 400 Search and Rescue missions.
  He served as a Deck Watch Officer on a Buoy Tender in Alaska before 
going to Naval flight training to become a helicopter pilot, where he 
became Coast Guard Aviator #2113. Just prior to his Boston assignment, 
Captain Durfey commanded the Coast Guard's largest Group-Air Station 
combination, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. His helicopter and boat 
crews prosecuted over 1,800 search and rescue cases annually. He also 
commanded Group-Air Station Humboldt Bay, in northern California, 
between 1998 and the summer of 2000.
  He was promoted to the rank of Captain during a year of strategic 
studies at the Air War College (2000-2001), which included training on 
terrorism, intelligence and overseas travel to Israel and Syria. He has 
had two major commands and most recently served as the Chief of 
Governmental Affairs and Public Affairs for the Admiral of First Coast 
Guard District, which oversees the northeast portion of the United 
States. The area of responsibility includes eight States from Maine to 
New Jersey.
  As the United States Representative for the Tenth District of 
Massachusetts for the last twelve years, I have had the opportunity to 
work with and get to know Robert Durfey both as a professional and as a 
man. He has lived his life with a concern for others and the safety of 
our country. Robert Durfey is a gifted individual whose interpersonal 
skills are unsurpassed and who commands the respect of his subordinates 
and peers. As he retires from the United States Coast Guard, I want to 
add my best wishes to the chorus of accolades he has already received. 
I salute him and may God bless him in all his future endeavors.

                          ____________________