[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING COAST GUARD CAPTAIN SAMUEL DUKE WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRADLEY BYRNE

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2015

  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of a 
great American and my dear friend, Coast Guard Captain Samuel Duke 
Walker.
   Captain Walker has served as Commander of Coast Guard Sector Mobile 
since July of 2013. Before coming to Southwest Alabama, he served as 
Chief of Response for the Eighth Coast Guard District, where he also 
served as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon 
Spill of National Significance Response.
   Captain Walker graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Officer Candidate 
School in 1987. He is a graduate of Rhode Island College with a degree 
in Electronic Design, and he also holds a Master of Business 
Administration degree from the University of South Alabama's South of 
Business.
   During his time with the Coast Guard, Captain Walker has earned many 
accolades. Captain Walker was promoted to the rank of Captain on July 
1, 2008, and he served as President of the Class of 2009 at the 
National War College. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, 
Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, 
Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon.
   Captain Walker has been a leader in the Coast Guard, but he has also 
been a leader in the local community. Captain Walker has called Mobile 
home for much of his life, and he is a 2001 graduate and Class 
President of Leadership Mobile. During a recent boating tragedy in 
Mobile Bay, Captain Walker acted as a steady leader and reassuring 
voice to members of the community. It is safe to say that Captain 
Walker has truly become a member of the Southwest Alabama community.
   Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Captain Walker, his wife, and their 
three children for their dedicated service to the United States Coast 
Guard, the Gulf Coast, and the entire nation.
   So on behalf of the people of Alabama's First Congressional 
District, I want to wish Captain Walker all the best in his retirement. 
We will miss his service to the Coast Guard, but I am happy to know 
Captain Walker will continue to call Mobile home.

                          ____________________