[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 114 (Friday, July 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1502-E1503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN FRANK ROBERTS (RET.)

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GLENN C. NYE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 30, 2010

  Mr. NYE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Captain Frank 
Roberts (ret.), a longtime resident of Virginia Beach and a lifelong 
public servant, on the occasion of his retirement from the Hampton 
Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance.
  Frank Roberts is a 1969 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and had a 
distinguished 27-year active duty career with the U.S. Navy, retiring 
with rank of Captain. One of only 300 aviators ever to surpass 1000 
carrier arrested landings, Frank is a graduate of the ``Topgun'' Navy 
Fighter Weapons School and the Naval War College. He has always 
welcomed professional challenges and never declined an opportunity to 
serve his country. The list of Frank's active duty assignments is long 
and many Naval personnel, both uniformed and civilian, count themselves 
fortunate for the opportunity to have served with, and learned from, 
Frank Roberts.
  Upon his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1996, Frank was employed by 
OC, Incorporated and provided military analytical support to the Joint 
Warfighting Center. From 1997 to 2003, Frank served as the Vice 
President and Director of Hampton Roads operations for Battlespace, 
Inc., where he supported joint unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 
experimentation at U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM). From 2003 to 
2006, Frank was employed by Old Dominion University Research Foundation 
and was assigned to USJFCOM to lead the Joint Operational Test Bed 
System UAV experimentation program focused on transforming 
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
  The Hampton Roads area was fortunate when Frank Roberts stepped in as 
the first Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Military and Federal 
Facilities Alliance in 2006. The communities that comprise the 
Alliance--Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, 
Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Isle of 
Wight, James City and York--selected Frank to lead the Alliance because 
of his expertise, his experience, his work ethic, and his dedication. 
Hampton Roads has played a critical role in America's national and 
homeland defense for generations. In Frank, the Alliance found an 
effective and tireless advocate on behalf of the region's unique 
capabilities and the Commonwealth's contributions to protecting our 
nation. During a time of great change and uncertainty due in part to 
the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, Frank's tenure as the head 
of HRMFFA will be remembered for his steadfast leadership as he 
navigated the Alliance through choppy waters to calmer seas.
  Frank has been buoyed in his professional career by a loving family 
at home--his wife Joan, his son Jim, his late daughter Andrea and his 
grandchildren, Reagan and Lucas, have been a source of love and 
support. On behalf of the Second Congressional District, I would like 
to thank Frank Roberts and the Roberts family for his many years of 
public service to Virginia and to our nation. Frank Roberts is someone 
who answered the call to serve his country, and his service has made a 
difference. We wish you well, Frank, and hope you know how deeply 
grateful we are for your contributions.

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