[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  LIEUTENANT COMMANDER ZEITA MERCHANT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2012

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Lieutenant 
Commander Zeita Merchant for her service to the country and her 
contributions to the work of the House of Representatives. As Chair of 
the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation during the 
last Congress, I was very fortunate to have her join our staff as a 
fellow in 2010. I was pleased that she agreed to continue her 
fellowship during this Congress with the Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform.
  Lieutenant Commander Merchant made invaluable contributions to our 
work. In particular, she assisted in organizing a forum I co-hosted on 
the military's efforts to address hazing, as well as recruitment, 
retention, and promotion challenges for women and minorities across the 
Armed Services. Her unique perspective and hard work were critical to 
the success of this event.
  Lieutenant Commander Merchant also contributed her expertise on port 
security matters to our ongoing oversight of the Department of Homeland 
Security and the Transportation Security Administration.
  In addition to her work in the homeland security area, Lieutenant 
Commander Merchant contributed to hearings on stimulus spending and the 
implementation of weatherization and green energy loan programs.
  We were fortunate and blessed to have Lieutenant Commander Merchant 
join us for a term as a fellow. I wish her continued success in her 
next assignment as the Executive Officer of Marine Safety Unit Texas 
City and note that she will be the first African American woman to 
serve as the executive officer of a marine safety unit. I am certain 
that her crew members will benefit from her determination and her 
exceptional leadership.
  As Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I thank Lieutenant Commander Merchant for her service and wish 
her the best in her future endeavors.

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