[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CLEARWATER COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FLOTILLA CELEBRATES ITS 60TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2010

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 
was established by Congress in June 1939 to support the Coast Guard 
with its boat safety mission. This June, the Clearwater Chapter, 
Flotilla 11-1, celebrates its 60th anniversary of service to the 
boating public throughout the Tampa Bay area.
  The Coast Guard Auxiliary and Flotilla 11-1 provide invaluable 
support to the active duty Coast Guard through a variety of non-law 
enforcement programs. These include search and rescue missions, marine 
environmental patrols, youth programs, public education and safety 
patrols. As the Coast Guard's homeland and national security 
responsibilities continue to expand, the men and women of the auxiliary 
have stepped up to increase their port security patrols to provide for 
the defense of our nation's and in our case Florida's coastline and 
waterways.
  Clearwater Flotilla 11-1's service to the Clearwater area actually 
predates the Coast Guard's presence in the city. Today, though, the 
auxiliary provides direct and continuing support to Coast Guard Air 
Station Clearwater and to Coast Guard Station Sand Key. Their missions 
include search and rescue ``call outs'', back up marine radio coverage 
and near shore patrols as part of the America's Waterway Watch Program. 
Last year alone, the Flotilla conducted more than 300 vessel safety 
checks, made 130 visits to recreational boating programs and conducted 
11 boating safety classes. In addition to supporting the Coast Guard on 
the water, the Flotilla also supports the Coast Guard from the air. Its 
three aircraft flew 250 sorties last year totaling more than 1,000 
hours and included 24 separate search and rescue cases.
  Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that Flotilla 11-1 will join 
together this Saturday in Clearwater to celebrate its history and for 
the community to come together to thank the men and women of the 
auxiliary for their selfless volunteer service to our area.
  Flotilla 11-1 operates under the leadership of Commander Jim Rudolph 
and Vice Commander Jerry Osburn. With their breadth of 
responsibilities, the Flotilla draws upon many, many dedicated officers 
and volunteers with specific expertise in a large number of areas. The 
auxiliary's officers include: Barbara Masson, communications; Val 
Lewis, communications services; Debbie Mallory, finance; Kimberly 
Clark, information systems; Teresa Kasper, materials; John Caddigan, 
marine safety and environmental protection; Karen Miller, member 
training and publications; Harry Bickford, navigation services; Don 
Smith, operations; Jeff Lawlor, public affairs; Ann Bennett, public 
education and program visits; Peter Palmieri, personnel services; Scott 
Signorini, secretary and records; and Dale Folsom, vessel examinations.
  It is my hope that my colleagues will join me in thanking the men and 
women of Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-1 for their 60 
years of service to our community and for a job well done.

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