[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO COMMANDER CHRIS MAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2008

  Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Commander 
Chris May of the United States Coast Guard. As Commander May prepares 
to retire from the United States Coast Guard Reserve after 36 years of 
service, I ask that you join me in recognizing his long and honorable 
career.
  Commander May's service to our Nation has been extensive. He entered 
the USCGR as a Seaman Recruit in 1972. Since then, he has served in 
many capacities: he has been a crewman on Search and Rescue boats at 
small boat stations from the Outerbanks of North Carolina to the Plumb 
Island CG Station in Lake Michigan, led a Boating Safety Team on inland 
lakes and rivers in North Carolina, performed Port State Control 
Boardings, conducted harbor patrols and facility inspections, 
supervised explosive loading operations, investigated oil spills, 
participated in 12 major MOBEXs, and been recalled for extended duty 
for both the Gulf War 1990 and OIF in 2003. In 1991, Commander May was 
honored to receive the USCGR Junior Officer of the Year Award for North 
Carolina.
  Additionally, he has served as a Training, Planning, Medical, and 
Administrative Officer, been an Executive Officer of RU Oak Island, RU 
Greensboro, and Commanding Officer reserve unit Greensboro, and has 
served as a Senior Reserve Officer for Marine Safety Office Wilmington 
and Sector North Carolina. He is a graduate of the USCG Port Security A 
School, CG Small Boat Operations School, CG Explosive Loading 
Supervisor School, CG Senior Contingency Planning, and holds National 
Incident Management certification in ICS 100, 200, 300, 700, and 800.
  For the last 36 years, Commander May has honorably dedicated himself 
to our Nation through his commitment to the United States Coast Guard 
Reserve. And even beyond retirement, Commander May will continue to 
serve his community in his role as Executive Director of the Cape Fear 
Council of Governments in Wilmington, NC.
  I have personally witnessed his superior leadership and extraordinary 
public relations skills in seminars, meetings and special occasions 
that he has moderated in the community, and he has always conducted 
himself in a praiseworthy, professional manner with a positive, 
personal touch. His Christian character and humble demeanor speaks 
volumes about his ethics and moral values.
  Madam Speaker, Commander Chris May has served our country with 
distinction. I wish Commander May and his family God's richest 
blessings as his time in the United States Coast Guard Reserve comes to 
a close. I ask that you join me today in recognition of his impressive 
career of unwavering duty and enduring public service.

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