[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 101 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN ROBERT R. O'BRIEN, JR., ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
   RETIREMENT AS COMMANDER OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD NEW YORK 
                                 SECTOR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 1, 2010

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements 
of Captain Robert R. O'Brien, Jr., on the occasion of his retirement as 
Commander of the United States Coast Guard's New York Sector. He has 
served our Nation, and its greatest city, with distinction, and all 
Americans owe him a debt of gratitude.
  Captain O'Brien assumed command of the United States Coast Guard 
(USCG) Sector New York on June 15, 2006 after completing his previous 
assignment as the Commander of the USCG's Marine Safety Office in 
Hampton Roads, Virginia. I know that my distinguished colleagues join 
me in extending our appreciation and gratitude to Captain O'Brien, who 
throughout his career has courageously and selflessly dedicated himself 
to protecting, defending and serving his fellow Americans.
  Captain Robert O'Brien's remarkable career in the United States Coast 
Guard has spanned more than four decades. Enlisting in the Coast Guard 
in 1970 after leaving the Roman Catholic Seminary, he first served 
aboard the United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Laurel in North 
Carolina. In 1976, he was assigned as Officer-in-Charge of the USCGC 
Blackberry, also stationed in North Carolina. Upon his promotion in 
1979 to Chief Boatswain's Mate, he was transferred to the largest Aids 
to Navigation Team in the Atlantic Area as Officer-in-Charge.
  In 1983, Robert O'Brien was promoted to Lieutenant, and for the next 
20 years served with distinction in assignments that found him in areas 
ranging from Galveston, Texas to Detroit, Michigan, and numerous places 
in between. Upon his promotion to Captain in 2003, he assumed command 
of the Marine Safety Office in Hampton Roads, Virginia. After serving 
in that capacity for three years, he then became Commander of the New 
York Sector, where he has been stationed since.
  Throughout his long and distinguished career in the United States 
Coast Guard, Captain Robert O'Brien has earned a number of awards and 
honors. He has received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Coast Guard 
Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal and the Coast 
Guard Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon, among many others.
  Captain Robert O'Brien was born in Savannah, Georgia and raised in 
Ridgeland, South Carolina. He and his wife, Martha, have three 
children: Reid, Jennifer and Caroline, all of whom must be tremendously 
proud of their father's accomplishments and honorable service to this 
Nation.
  Madam Speaker, in recognition of his lifetime of service to this 
country, I request that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to 
Captain Robert R. O'Brien, Jr., a distinguished member of our armed 
services and a patriotic American who has devoted his professional life 
in service to our country. Captain O'Brien's selfless and enduring 
dedication to our Nation provides a worthy example for all of us.

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