[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 67 (Monday, April 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF COMMANDER HOUSSAIN ``SAM'' SAREINI, 
           ONE OF THE FIRST MUSLIM-AMERICAN NAVAL COMMANDERS

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 19, 2021

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Commander 
Houssain ``Sam'' Sareini of Dearborn, Michigan. His accomplishments and 
service to our nation are worthy of commendation.
  As a young man with an interest in government service, Commander 
Sareini enlisted in the United States Navy when he was 18 years old. 
During his first tour of duty, he was selected for the Enlisted 
Commissioning Program and went on to study Biochemistry at Iowa State 
University.
  Commander Sareini has served in the United States Navy for nearly 27 
years in a variety of roles all over the globe. He has served as Air 
Defense Commander, Reactor Laboratories Division Officer, Chemistry and 
Radiological Controls Principal Assistant, Radiation Health Officer, 
Senior Watch Officer, and now Commanding Officer for the USS Nitze. A 
dedicated servicemember, he has earned the Meritorious Service Medal, 
the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Good 
Conduct Medal.
  On April 9, 2021 at a ceremony in Portsmouth, Virginia, Commander 
Sareini took command of the USS Nitze, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-
missile destroyer. He is one of the first ever Muslim-Americans to 
command his own naval ship. His Islamic faith tells him to ``live for 
others'' and military service allows him to do just that. A dedicated 
leader and an inspiration to all, Commander Sareini embodies the 
unofficial Navy motto of ``Not self, but country.''
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Commander 
Houssain ``Sam'' Sareini for his invaluable service to this nation. I 
join with Commander Sareini's family, friends, and colleagues in 
extending my gratitude to him for his continued exemplary service to 
this country and congratulate him on this terrific achievement.

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