[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 25, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E231-E232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING CAMDEN COUNTY, GEORGIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 25, 2014

  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Camden County, GA in 
light of their recent designation as a Coast Guard Community. Camden is 
the first county in the nation to be given this distinguished 
distinction, as it normally only is given to cities. Camden, however, 
is such a great supporter of the Coast Guard, its personnel, its 
families, and its mission that the award was given to the county as a 
whole.
   Camden County is incredibly rich in history. Founded on February 5, 
1777, it is one of the oldest counties in Georgia. It was named for 
Charles Pratt, Earl of Camden, who was an Englishman in favor of the 
American Independence. Modern day Camden County includes the cities of 
St. Mary's, Woodbine, and Kingsland and is home to Naval Submarine Base 
Kings Bay. Kings Bay is the Atlantic Fleet's home port for U.S. Navy's 
ballistic missile nuclear submarines, the Ohio-class. It also is home 
to Cumberland Island National Seashore, a National Wilderness Area.
   With this honor, Camden County and its cities join 15 other cities 
to earn this designation, but Camden is the only to be labeled a 
Community. The designation was supported by the Congressional 
committees that oversee the Coast Guard and by the Coast Guard 
headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Coast Guard plays a major role in 
insuring the safety and security of Camden County and the Georgia 
Coast. Two teams are stationed in Camden County: the Maritime Force 
Protection Unit, which protects Navy assets at Kings Bay, and the 
Maritime Safety and Security Team 91108, which was established 
following the
9/11 attacks.
   This honor would not have been possible without the strong support 
of many groups in Camden County. The Camden Partnership, which was 
created to support both Navy and Coast Guard members in Camden, made 
visits to 210 congressional offices to support restoring the Coast 
Guard budget when the group faced budget cuts. The Coast Guard 
Community of Camden organizes events and programs in support of Coast 
Guard members and families. The local Navy League awards its Coast 
Guard Sailor of the Year, and the Chamber of Commerce supports a 
military member of the month.
   Camden County is a proud community and a model for the nation. I 
consider myself fortunate to represent such an incredible group of

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people, and I am thankful for the hard work and tireless dedication 
they display for the men and women who protect us.

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