[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 95 (Friday, June 8, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E804-E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AT THE PORT ANGELES MARITIME 
                                FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 8, 2018

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the men and women 
who are serving in the United States Coast Guard on the Olympic 
Peninsula.
   In my travels across our region, I often have the privilege of 
crossing paths with these outstanding professionals.
   For example, I recently attended a ceremony recognizing Petty 
Officer Jacob Hylkema, who received the Coast Guard Medal for his 
actions during a storm last summer in which he risked his life to save 
a fisherman who had fallen overboard. His entire unit received a 
citation for their actions that day. Together, they rescued 9 people in 
a 20-hour period.
   Mr. Speaker, the good work isn't just limited to one unit. Recently, 
the crew of the Active based in my hometown, Port Angeles, Washington, 
seized more than $78 million in illegal drugs during a patrol near the 
coast of Central America. According to a report in The Peninsula Daily 
News, the crew seized more than three tons of illegal drugs and 
arrested multiple people suspected of smuggling drugs into the United 
States.
   This kind of work makes the news, but every day the Coast Guard in 
our region keeps us safe and keeps our economy moving.

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   Just as importantly as coming to the rescue of folks in distress, 
the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor quietly 
protects the Navy vessels homeported in our region as they make the 
first and final stretches of their missions. I'm looking forward to 
welcoming members of the unit to Port Angeles when their new facilities 
are complete.
   Mr. Speaker, this weekend our grateful community will recognize the 
Active's crew and Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor at the 2018 
Port Angeles Maritime Festival.
   They deserve every bit of recognition. The men and women serving our 
region in the Coast Guard work selflessly around the clock to protect 
our fishermen, the environment and our region's security.
   Please join me in honoring them today.

                          ____________________