[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 37 (Friday, March 11, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E466-E467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PAYING TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN THOMAS F. McGOVERN, AS HE PREPARES TO RETIRE 
AFTER 25 YEARS OF COMMISSIONED SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND TO 
                               OUR NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 11, 2011

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Captain 
Thomas F. McGovern, as he prepares to retire after 25 years of 
Commissioned Service to the United States Navy and for his 
extraordinary dedication to duty and service to the United States of 
America. I have worked with Captain McGovern personally in his role as 
the Deputy Director of the Navy Appropriations Liaison Office, and I 
would like to share with you some highlights of this fine officer's 
career.
   Captain Thomas F. McGovern received his commission from the United 
States Naval Academy in May 1986, and was designated a Naval Aviator in 
March 1988. He has served in operational assignments with Patrol 
Squadron Forty at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California, flying 
the P-3C Orion; Patrol Squadron Thirty-One as an Instructor Pilot; 
aboard both the USS Constellation and USS Saratoga as a Catapult and 
Arresting Gear Officer. Captain McGovern also served with distinction 
as Flag Lieutenant to the Commander, Pacific Fleet Patrol Wings and 
Anti-Submarine Warfare Force, at Naval Air Station Barbers

[[Page E467]]

Point, Hawaii, and with Patrol Squadron One as the Senior Pilot and 
Operations Officer.
   Ashore, Captain McGovern broadened his experience working in the 
Operations, Readiness and Mobilization Directorate of the Army 
Operations Center, Pentagon. During this joint assignment, he was 
assigned as an Operations Officer for United Nations Peacekeeping 
Operations. His responsibilities included the logistical and 
administrative support for US personnel assigned to the United Nations 
Peacekeeping missions in Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Egypt, Western Sahara, 
Guatemala and the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He also 
served with the Office of the Chief of Naval Personnel as the Enlisted 
Aviation Community Manager and as the Special Assistant for Manpower 
for the Naval Aviation Enterprise.
   Captain McGovern served as the Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron 
Forty Seven in April 2003. During his tour, the squadron deployed to 
the FIFTH Fleet Area of Responsibility in support of Operations Iraqi 
Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Their outstanding efforts were recognized 
by being awarded the ``Golden Wrench'' award for maintenance excellence 
along with the Commander Pacific Fleet Retention Excellence Award.
   Captain McGovern reported to his current assignment as the Deputy 
Director for Appropriations Matters in the Office of Assistant 
Secretary of the Navy Financial Management & Comptroller in March 2007. 
During his time at Financial Management Budget & Execution, Captain 
McGovern demonstrated exceptional leadership and foresight, engaging 
Members of Congress and the Appropriations Committee Staff, providing 
essential information and resources for the Department of the Navy to 
maintain its role as the world's dominant sea power. Captain McGovern 
worked through significant readiness and manpower challenges, providing 
essential support in shepherding three Navy budgets and multiple war 
supplemental requests totaling more than $550 billion in Department of 
the Navy funding. I can assure you that my staff, the sub-committee 
staff, and my fellow Members have found him to be a pleasure to work 
with, and he is respected by all for his true professionalism.
   Mr. Speaker, On behalf of a grateful Nation, I join my colleagues 
today in saying thank you to Captain Thomas F. McGovern for his 
extraordinary dedication to duty and service to this country throughout 
his distinguished career in the United States Navy and we wish him, his 
wife Katie, and his daughters, Rosemary and Lauren ``Fair Winds and 
Following Seas'' in his well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________