[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 180 (Tuesday, December 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF SKYLER POWELL'S PROMOTION TO CHIEF PETTY OFFICER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2016

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Skyler Powell on 
becoming the first cadet in the history of Purcellville, Virginia's 
VIKING Sea Cadet Division to achieve the rank of Chief Petty Officer. 
This is a tremendous honor considering that historically only 1 percent 
of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps' 10,000 cadets receive this 
appointment, and of that 1 percent only 20 percent have been female. I 
am proud to represent this young woman, who is a shining example of the 
Commonwealth of Virginia's hardworking and service-minded citizens.
  The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, which was founded over 50 
years ago, is a federally chartered non-profit civilian organization 
that serves to teach individuals about naval operations, community 
service, citizenship, and helps foster discipline and teamwork in our 
nation's youth.
  In addition to the courses, training and exams, Powell developed and 
demonstrated dedication, leadership, self-reliance, commitment and 
courage as she rose through the cadet ranks. During summer break, she 
attended a two-week recruit training, a shortened version of the Navy's 
boot camp. She has also attended multiple advanced trainings on topics 
including marksmanship, cyber security and advanced music training in 
locations from San Francisco and Las Vegas, to Fort Custer and Fort 
Lee. She also served as a staff cadet at recruit training in Aberdeen, 
Maryland and Navy League orientation training in Norfolk, Virginia.
  Chief Powell has earned the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Naval Sea Cadet 
Medal and the Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award in 
addition to maintaining a 4.1 GPA while taking honors and AP classes. 
During her Sea Cadet career she has logged over 250 volunteer community 
service hours. She is likewise an active member of the Loudoun Valley 
High School Marching Band and currently leads the VIKING Division 
CyberPatriot team--a nationwide cyber security competition sponsored by 
the U.S. Air Force.
  Mr. Speaker, I would ask my colleagues to congratulate Skyler Powell 
for her promotion to Chief Petty Officer in Purcellville's VIKING Sea 
Cadet Division, and to join me in wishing her a happiness and fortune 
in her future endeavors.

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