[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 6, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   HONORING ADMIRAL ROBERT J. PAPP, JR. FOR HIS SERVICE AS THE 24TH 
              COMMANDANT OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2014

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with Representatives 
Howard Coble, Frank LoBiondo, and Rick Larsen on behalf of the 
Congressional Coast Guard Caucus to recognize the dedication and 
unwavering leadership of Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr, who will complete 
his tour as the 24th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on May 
30, 2014. Serving our nation faithfully and selflessly for over 40 
years, Admiral Papp has led the nearly 90,000 active duty, reserve, 
civilian and auxiliary members of the Coast Guard through an 
extraordinary period in the Coast Guard's history. Both as Commandant 
and Commander of the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area, Admiral Papp remained 
focused and resolute in directing the massive response and recovery 
operations for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. 
He served as the Operational Commander responsible for the Coast Guard 
response in the wake of the Haiti earthquake disaster, where Coast 
Guard cutters were the first U.S. assets on scene to provide 
humanitarian assistance to the devastated country.
  Admiral Papp was instrumental in raising the national awareness of 
the continuously evolving challenges in the Arctic, including 
developing the Coast Guard's first Arctic Strategy and expanding Coast 
Guard operations and capabilities in the Region. He has also been 
integral to U.S. efforts to engage with other Arctic Nations to 
establish international governance protocols essential to protecting 
U.S. sovereignty, security and economic interests as access and 
activity in the Arctic continues to expand.
  Through his leadership and staunch support of the Coast Guard men and 
women who place their lives on the line every day to serve the American 
people, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to recapitalize the 
Coast Guard's rapidly aging fleet of cutters, aircraft and small boats. 
Often overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles in an incredibly 
challenging fiscal environment, he has achieved extraordinary success 
in building out the fleet of National Security Cutters, Fast Response 
Cutters, Response Boats and Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Furthermore, he 
has laid the foundation for the acquisition of the Offshore Patrol 
Cutter, which will ensure the Coast Guard continues to remain ``Semper 
Paratus'' or Always Ready, to complete its maritime safety, security 
and stewardship missions in our ports and waterways as well as the over 
4 millions square miles of U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone around the 
world.
  Finally, for those of us who have had the privilege to know Admiral 
Papp personally, it does not take long to see and understand how 
passionate he is about the health and welfare of every member of the 
Coast Guard family--his ``shipmates.'' His focus on professionalism and 
proficiency and his efforts to improve access to critical family 
support services such as childcare and family housing have been 
instrumental in improving the lives of all ``Coasties.'' His decision 
to protect the civilian workforce and not implement furloughs despite 
the devastating impacts of sequestration reflects his commitment to the 
concept that every member of the Coast Guard--active duty, reserve, 
civilian or auxiliary--is an indispensable partner in the success of 
the Service.
  As the Co-Chairs of the Coast Guard Caucus, we are honored to join 
with our distinguished colleagues in recognizing the incredible 
service, dedication and leadership of Admiral Papp as the 24th 
Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. As we honor Admiral Papp, 
we also honor the service of the thousands of shipmates he has led as 
they rescue those in distress, protect our environment, secure our 
borders and keep dangerous drugs off our streets. To paraphrase Admiral 
Papp himself. ``They are Coastguardsmen. This is their chosen 
profession. This is their way.'' We thank Admiral Papp, his wife Linda 
and his entire family for their service and sacrifice, and wish them 
all fair winds and following seas.

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