[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             HONORING U.S. NAVY CAPTAIN JOHN C. SCORBY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2010

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor U.S. Navy Captain 
John C. Scorby, Jr., the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station 
Jacksonville in Florida, one of the nation's largest naval 
installations. Captain Scorby exemplifies the values of a committed 
naval officer and, I believe, you will agree when you hear his 
exceptional performance on a variety of levels.
  NAS Jacksonville hosts over 117 tenant commands, 25,000 personnel and 
their families. As Commanding Officer, it was Captain Scorby's duty to 
provide oversight and to make sure everything ran like clockwork. For 
three years, Capt. Scorby was a dedicated leader to this key Navy 
installation.
  A P-3 Orion pilot by trade, Jack Scorby has always seen the big 
picture. But like the radar on the P-3 Orion, he has the ability to 
zero in on the details that needed fine tuning and, thus, Jack made a 
great installation even better.
  Captain Scorby set the highest standards for excellence and then led 
by example to reach and surpass those goals. Using his personality, 
skill, resourcefulness and the ability to manage and juggle priorities 
to meet the support needs of the fleet, the war fighter, and the 
family, Captain Scorby has upheld the highest traditions of the United 
States Navy. He was the catalyst behind NAS Jacksonville winning a 
plethora of awards including the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the 
Secretary of the Navy's and the Chief of Naval Operations' Safety 
Ashore awards for two consecutive years, and the Commander Navy Region 
Southeast's 2009 nominee for the Installation Excellence Award.
  Under his watch, NAS Jacksonville underwent $350 million of facility 
construction and upgrades. Captain Scorby oversaw the management of 
that endeavor and also was instrumental in the smooth relocation of 
five P-3 Orion squadrons and their families from Maine to Florida.
  Jack Scorby cultivated an Individual Augmentee (IA) Support Program 
that helped sustain the families of IAs who were deployed and then 
honored them with a luncheon upon their return. This model program is 
now being replicated at bases worldwide.
  NAS Jacksonville earned the reputation as the Airfield of Choice 
under Jack's command as personnel worked round the clock in providing 
services to a variety of operations including Army helicopter 
deployments, Pine Castle Range use, and the initial stand-up training 
and outfitting of the Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion for Guantanamo 
Bay. Captain Scorby and his team at NAS Jacksonville provided support 
and facilities to the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the 
hurricane season as well as during the earthquake that devastated 
Haiti.
  A recognized naval ambassador in the City, Captain Scorby hosted two 
Air Shows, a Presidential visit, and over 90 other ceremonies and 
special events. I was pleased to work with him on two veteran 
ceremonies at which we recognized over 250 grateful Vietnam Veterans. 
Jack and his sailors made sure all veterans were treated as special 
guests and honored for their service. He partnered with the Florida 
Department of Labor to host a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program that 
provided services to veterans and their families and a Tri-Base Job 
Fair that brought in 155 employers and over 800 job seekers. Each of 
these events cemented the relationship between the City of Jacksonville 
and the United States Navy.
  Always a strong supporter of Navy personnel and their families 
whether on base or deployed across the globe fulfilling missions, Jack 
Scorby also ensured that our fallen heroes returned with honor and a 
proper homecoming. No matter the time or the day, when a soldier, 
sailor, marine or airman returned on his final flight, Captain Scorby 
had police, firefighters, Patriot Guard and hundreds of civilians and 
naval personnel line the runway and roads. Families of the fallen were 
moved and grateful.
  And on behalf of the City of Jacksonville and the 4th Congressional 
District, it is my privilege to recognize the dedication, caring and 
leadership that makes Captain John C. Scorby, Jr., worthy of receiving 
the Legion of Merit.

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