[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 29, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 137--HONORING THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE COAST GUARD 
            OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM ON OMBUDSMAN APPRECIATION DAY

  Ms. CANTWELL (for herself, Mr. Cruz, Ms. Baldwin, and Mr. Sullivan) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 137

       Whereas the Coast Guard Ombudsman program was formally 
     established by Admiral James S. Gracey, the 17th Commandant 
     of the Coast Guard, to provide a link between the Coast Guard 
     command and Coast Guard families through the engagement of 
     spouses of members of the Coast Guard;
       Whereas the leadership of Wanda Allen-Yearout for over 36 
     years helped establish and shape the Coast Guard Ombudsman 
     program into the robust volunteer force it is today;
       Whereas Ombudsman Appreciation Day is celebrated on March 
     26, 2023, to honor Coast Guard ombudsmen for the dedicated 
     service they provide to the mission-ready workforce of the 
     Coast Guard;
       Whereas Coast Guard ombudsmen serve as volunteers--
       (1) providing information and referral resources; and
       (2) acting as advocates for the families of members of the 
     Coast Guard;
       Whereas the selfless Coast Guard ombudsmen volunteers are 
     essential to the success of the Coast Guard, supporting 
     families to enable service members and service commands to 
     focus on mission requirements;
       Whereas, in 2022, Coast Guard service members were helping 
     the public and carrying out missions, and ombudsmen across 
     the Coast Guard were helping by making over 350,000 contacts 
     with, and volunteering more than 13,000 hours to assist, 
     Coast Guard families;
       Whereas, recognizing that military service involves 
     sacrifices and difficulties with separation from family, 
     frequent moves, new schools, and long distances from loved 
     ones, Coast Guard ombudsmen respond to ensure military 
     families are not alone by providing vital information to 
     facilitate the transitions of those families to new 
     assignments and to overcome family challenges;
       Whereas Coast Guard ombudsmen were vital to supporting 
     family members after the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 
     2001, the most extensive organizational transformation of the 
     Coast Guard since World War II;
       Whereas, as the Coast Guard responded to and rescued 
     displaced people during Hurricane Katrina, Coast Guard 
     ombudsmen, often consisting of spouses of Coast Guard 
     rescuers and hurricane evacuees--
       (1) tracked and accounted for Coast Guard families;
       (2) rendered assistance; and
       (3) communicated vital evacuation information;
       Whereas, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Coast Guard 
     ombudsmen recognized challenges and ensured the operational 
     readiness of the Coast Guard was maintained by providing 
     direct support to Coast Guard families; and
       Whereas, by volunteering on the home front, being available 
     for Coast Guard families, and helping Coast Guard families 
     obtain the resources and information necessary for success, 
     Coast Guard ombudsmen help ensure that members of the Coast 
     Guard and their families remain ``Always Ready'' to meet the 
     needs of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) celebrates Ombudsman Appreciation Day and Coast Guard 
     ombudsmen on March 26, 2023;
       (2) is grateful to the women and men who volunteer their 
     time as Coast Guard ombudsmen to assist the families of 
     members of the Coast Guard; and
       (3) congratulates the volunteers of the Coast Guard 
     Ombudsman program on 37 years of service.

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