[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  HONORING REAR ADMIRAL (RADM) THOMAS F. ATKIN FOR HIS SERVICE IN THE 
                            U.S. COAST GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2012

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a leader and 
constituent for his extraordinary service in the United States Coast 
Guard. Rear Admiral (RADM) Thomas F. Atkin served his country for 34 
years in the Coast Guard and on July 1st, RADM Atkin will retire as the 
Assistant Commandant for Intelligence and Criminal Operations at Coast 
Guard Headquarters. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his 
extraordinary commitment to service and to our country.
  RADM Atkin distinguished himself throughout his career in the fields 
of law enforcement, tactical border security operations and 
intelligence. As a Coast Guard Flag Officer, he served in multiple key 
leadership positions where he was responsible for directing homeland 
security and homeland defense policy. RADM Atkin's positions included 
serving as Chief of both the Maritime Homeland Security and Defense 
Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the 
Counterterrorism Division in the Chief of Naval Operations Office. 
Additionally, RADM Atkin played extremely large roles in overseeing a 
number of significant operations. While serving as the first Commander 
of the Coast Guard's Deployable Operations Group, RADM Atkin was the 
driving force behind the development of the 3,000 member Deployable 
Specialized Forces, which provided some of the most advanced law 
enforcement, disaster response, and anti-terrorism and counter-
terrorism capabilities to the Coast Guard and the Nation. He also 
served with distinction as the Deputy Principle Federal Official in the 
aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, where he guided life-saving 
response and relief efforts. RADM Atkin's efforts after these massive 
disasters were critical in recovery, not only for the Gulf Region, but 
also for the Nation as a whole. His other Flag Officer assignments 
included Assistant Commandant for Operational Planning and Policy and 
acting Assistant Commandant for Maritime Safety, Security and 
Stewardship.
  In addition to his remarkable operational achievements, RADM Atkin 
also devoted himself to the Coast Guard leaders of the future through 
his commitment as a mentor, football and lacrosse coach, and 
mathematics instructor at the Coast Guard Academy. These extraordinary 
accomplishments reflect just a small portion of RADM Atkin's 
distinguished 34-year career in the service of his country.
  The son of Nancy and Lawrence Atkin (CAPT, U.S. Navy, retired) and 
native of Duncanville, Texas, RADM Atkin is a graduate of the United 
States Coast Guard Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science 
degree in mathematical sciences. He also earned a Master of Science 
degree in management science from the University of Miami. He has two 
sons, Levi and Joseph.
  RADM Atkin's other operational assignments included Commanding 
Officer, Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) North in Chesapeake, 
VA; Commanding Officer, TACLET Gulf in New Orleans, LA; Operations 
Officer, TACLET Seven in Miami, FL; Navigator, Coast Guard Cutter ALERT 
in Cape May, NJ; Deputy Group Commander in New Orleans, LA; and Coast 
Guard Liaison to Joint Task Force One Six Zero at the U.S. Naval Base 
in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. His staff assignments included Chief, Office 
of Law Enforcement and Intelligence for the Eighth Coast Guard 
District, New Orleans, LA and Fisheries Enforcement Officer for the 
Eighth Coast Guard District, New Orleans, LA. His personal military 
awards include multiple awards of the Coast Guard Distinguished Service 
Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Coast 
Guard Commendation Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I 
ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
incredible career of Rear Admiral Thomas F. Atkin. We must always honor 
those who devoted their lives to serving our country. I am extremely 
proud to have him as a constituent, and I cannot thank him enough for 
everything he has done to protect our freedom.

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