[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 3, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E966]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 RECOGNIZING THE 2018 PRINCE WILLIAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INVESTIGATIVE 
                         MERIT AWARD RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 3, 2018

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the Naval Criminal 
Investigative Service (NCIS) and the Criminal Investigation Division of 
the Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region located at 
Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCINCR/MCBQ), and congratulate the 2018 
Prince William Chamber of Commerce Investigative Merit Award 
recipients.
  The mission of the MCINCR/MCBQ Command Inspector General is to 
promote combat support readiness and program efficiency of subordinate 
commands and tenant activities, as required, in accordance with the 
Marine Corps Inspector General Program. This includes, but is not 
limited to, effectiveness, efficiency, discipline, morale, economy, 
ethics, and integrity.
  On February 22, 2017, the U.S. Marine Corps was notified of gender 
discrimination and harassment occurring on social media sites, as 
illustrated by Marines United, a private Facebook group. Within days of 
notification, the Marine Corps and NCIS took action to investigate the 
defamatory matter and provide support services for all impacted by the 
online misconduct. The subsequent investigation, entitled ``Operations 
Purple Harbor,'' analyzed the countless degrading images, comments, and 
videos to identify more than 100 victims and locate those responsible 
for posting the explicit material online.
  Through the collection of evidence, interviews of witnesses, 
interrogations of subjects, and coordination with various law 
enforcement agencies (both federal and civilian), the Marines and 
civilians were able to assist victims in obtaining justice for their 
images being circulated without their knowledge or consent, and 
subsequently change the way the Marine Corps views social media 
misconduct.
  It is my honor to include in the Record the following names as the 
2018 Prince William Chamber of Commerce-Investigative Merit Award 
recipients for their extraordinary dedication and outstanding 
performance in initiating, investigating, and consequently resolving 
``Operation Purple Harbor'':
  Warrant Officer Nicholas Van Effen.
  Master Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Bates.
  Gunnery Sergeant Paul Lawless.
  Staff Sergeant Ryan Martin.
  Staff Sergeant Daniel Walker.
  Sergeant Shawn Foley.
  Sergeant Cody Smith.
  Sergeant Andrew Timms.
  Sergeant Mica Hamons.
  Sergeant Sean Lyon.
  Mrs. Estrella Carpenter.
  Ms. Liane Best.
  Sergeant Logan McEachern.
  Mr. Speaker, sexual harassment and gender discrimination must never 
be tolerated in any arena. We have all seen the courage of those who 
have dared to speak out against these wrongs despite negative public 
scrutiny or damage to their reputations or even their livelihoods. I 
stand with all who promote safe environments free of discrimination, 
harassment, or fear. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
2018 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Investigative Merit Award 
recipients of the Criminal Investigative Division of the Marine Corps 
Installations National Capital Region located at Marine Corps Base 
Quantico.

                          ____________________