[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 2, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H2974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF RICHARD D. WESLEY

  (Mr. CARTER of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Richard D. Wesley, who retired from being a Savannah River pilot after 
over 40 years of guiding ships to port through the Savannah River.
  This expertise cannot be overstated. An incredible asset to our 
economy in coastal Georgia, river pilots risk their lives by jumping 
onto moving container ships, and then guiding them safely into harbor, 
keeping the ship itself, the cargo on board, and the entire area's 
economy moving forward.
  A graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy in 1976, Mr. Wesley has 
piloted over 11,000 ships safely in and out of Savannah River. These 
trips included nearly any situation you could imagine; for example, 
Coast Guard visits that discovered stowaways, along with previously 
undiscovered contraband.
  He has also seen the ships change dramatically over his tenure, going 
from 460 feet in length to around 1,200 feet in length. But, all of 
this accumulated experience over the years enabled him to mentor up-
and-coming bar pilots through any situation, and to ensure that they 
are also going to have safe careers, which keep the economy of our 
State moving.
  Thank you for your work, Mr. Wesley, and enjoy your retirement.

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