[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 59 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E663-E664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF CAPTAIN ROBERT R. O'BRIEN JR., COMMANDER OF THE 
               UNITED STATES COAST GUARD SECTOR NEW YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 26, 2010

  Mr. NADLER of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
commend Captain Robert R. O'Brien Jr., Commander of the United States 
Coast Guard Sector New York, on his 40 years of distinguished service.
  After leaving a Roman Catholic seminary in 1970, Captain O'Brien 
chose to enlist in the United States Coast Guard. While enlisted, he 
served on the USCGC Laurel before joining Group Fort Macon as a small 
boat coxswain. In 1976, he was assigned as Officer-in-Charge of the 
USCGC Blackberry at Oak Island, North Carolina. Upon his promotion to 
Chief Boatswain's Mate in 1979, he was transferred to

[[Page E664]]

the largest Aid-to-Navigation Team in the Atlantic Area as the Officer-
in-Charge. In 1980, he was again promoted to Chief Warrant Officer as 
the Commanding Officer of the Aid-to-Navigation Team for the Long 
Island Sound where he worked to ensure the safety of all nautical 
vessels by maintaining the integrity of the Long Island Sound's 
navigation systems.
  Captain O'Brien received his commission as Lieutenant in 1983. In 
1999, he was assigned to the Marine Safety Office in Memphis, Tennessee 
as the Commanding Officer. He left for Washington, DC in 2002 to serve 
as the Coast Guard Liaison to the Navy's Military Sealift Command where 
he performed a dual role as direct representative of the NMSC and staff 
member of G-MOC. In 2003, he was promoted to Captain and assumed 
command of the Marine Safety Office in Hampton Roads before becoming 
commander of the Sector Hampton Roads in 2005. On June 15, 2006, 
Captain O'Brien became Commander of Sector New York making him 
responsible for missions such as search and rescue, law enforcement, 
maintenance of Aids-to-Navigation, and ship inspections. Most 
importantly, he worked each and every day to ensure the safety and 
security of the port and citizens of New York.
  Throughout his career, Captain O'Brien has diligently upheld his 
commitment to the Coast Guardsman's Creed. He is the recipient of 
multiple Meritorious Service Medals, Coast Guard Commendation Medals, 
and Coast Guard Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbons. He also 
holds the Coast Guard Cutterman, Surfman, and Coxswain pins as well as 
the Officer-in-Charge Afloat, Officer-in-Charge Ashore, and Command 
Ashore insignias.
  For 40 years, his leadership and commitment to the Coast Guard have 
helped to preserve the safety of our Nation's shores.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking and 
congratulating Captain O'Brien on his long and venerable service in the 
United States Coast Guard.

                          ____________________