[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING VICE ADMIRAL (VADM) SALERNO FOR HIS SERVICE IN THE U.S. COAST 
                                 GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. FRANK A. LoBIONDO

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2012

  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true leader 
for his extraordinary service in the United States Coast Guard, Vice 
Admiral (VADM) Brian M. Salerno. VADM Salerno served his country for 37 
years in the Coast Guard and on June 5th, he will retire as the Deputy 
Commandant for Operations at Coast Guard Headquarters, a position he 
has held since May 2010. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his 
commitment to service and to our country.
  As the Deputy Commandant for Operations, Vice Admiral Salerno oversaw 
policy development and strategic planning for all Coast Guard maritime 
safety, security and response operations. Assuming the duties as the 
Deputy Commandant for Operations shortly after the initial response to 
the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Vice Admiral Salerno was responsible 
for the Coast Guard's in-depth investigation and after action review of 
the incident, and directed implementation of numerous improvements to 
the Coast Guard's Spill of National Significance response and 
management protocols. He was also instrumental in establishing vital 
joint operating plans and processes, such as the Maritime Operations 
Coordination Plan, which greatly advanced the Department of Homeland 
Security's ``One-DHS'' initiative to increase the Nation's ability to 
respond to maritime threats. When Somalian pirates began attacking 
merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden, Vice Admiral Salerno led the 
United States' efforts to establish internationally accepted and highly 
effective shipboard procedures to minimize the likelihood of a 
successful attack. These measures have proven essential to helping 
mariners and the shipping industry protect themselves and combat piracy 
while transiting in high-risk waters. Using his nearly four decades of 
experience working on some of the most complex maritime safety and 
security issues, Vice Admiral Salerno laid the foundation for the 
continued development of interagency, international, and industry 
partnerships that will prove increasingly more important to national 
security, sovereignty and prosperity as emerging threats and 
opportunities in the Arctic and other outer-continental shelf maritime 
activity increases.
  Vice Admiral Salerno was commissioned as an Ensign in December 1976 
after attending Coast Guard Officer Candidate School. His assignments 
have predominantly been within the Coast Guard's marine safety program, 
where he commanded Coast Guard units in Boston, MA and San Juan, PR, 
and was responsible for carrying out vital Captain of the Port, 
Officer-in-Charge of Marine Inspection, Federal Maritime Security 
Coordinator, and Federal On-Scene Coordinator duties. His other field 
assignments include units in Baltimore, MD, Port Arthur, TX and 
Portland, ME as well as serving as the marine safety advisor to the 
Panama Canal Authority. Prior to assuming his current position, Vice 
Admiral Salerno was the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, 
Security and Stewardship and he also served as the Assistant Commandant 
for Policy and Planning and as the Director of Inspections and 
Compliance at Coast Guard Headquarters.
  Vice Admiral Salerno is a 2000 graduate of the U.S. Army War College, 
with a master's degree in Strategic Studies. He is also a graduate of 
the Naval War College and holds a master's degree in Management from 
the Johns Hopkins University. He is a licensed master of small 
passenger vessels. His personal military decorations include three 
Legion of Merit Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Coast Guard 
Commendation Medals, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents and a grateful Nation, I 
ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
extraordinary career of Vice Admiral Brian M. Salerno. There are few 
opportunities for us to recognize the accomplishments of those who 
selflessly dedicate their lives to the service of our country, and 
having had the pleasure of working with Vice Admiral Salerno as the 
Chairman of the Coast Guard's oversight Subcommittee, I cannot thank 
him enough for everything he has done to protect our Nation's waters 
and the millions of Americans who live, work, and visit them every day.

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