[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 54 (Monday, April 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN HONOR OF COMMANDER ROB SELKO, UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 16, 2012

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Commander Rob Selko 
for his service to our great nation.
  For much of his life, Commander Selko proudly, faithfully and 
honorably served this country. Born and raised near Philadelphia, 
Commander Selko attended The Pennsylvania State University on the Navy 
Reserve Officer Training, NROTC, scholarship. After graduating with a 
degree in Chemical Engineering Commander Selko was commissioned as an 
Ensign and ordered to NAS Pensacola to commence training as a Naval 
Flight Officer, NFO.
  Following his NFO training he was ordered to VF 101 for Fleet F 14A 
Tomcat Radar Intercept Officer training at NAS Oceana. Commander Selko 
was then assigned to VF 33 where he completed a North Atlantic and a 
Mediterranean Sea deployment on board USS America (CV 66), amassing 
over 750 hours and 200 arrested landings in the F 14A Tomcat.
  In 1994, Commander Selko joined the Navy Reserve and was re-
designated as an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer. In February 2006, 
he was assigned to NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey as Officer in Charge and 
tasked with leading the Navy's first unit involved in airships in over 
forty years. His unit deployed to NAS Key West, FL for joint operations 
with the U.S. Coast Guard, marking the first airship operations 
involving the U.S. Navy since 1962. Unfortunately, late in 2010, 
Commander Selko was diagnosed with leukemia. He spent most of 2011 in 
treatment and recovering from his illness.
  Commander Selko currently resides at 5 Glen Burnie Court, 
Sicklerville, New Jersey and after 28 years of faithful and honorable 
service will be retiring on June 23, 2012. He is married to Christine 
Selko of Pennsauken, and they have raised four children together in New 
Jersey.
  It is important that we take the time on this day to remember and 
reflect on Commander Selko's deep commitment to inspiring and touching 
the lives of those around him in his service to this country. May he be 
remembered as such, and may we continue to carry on his legacy in our 
hearts as we walk through life.

                          ____________________