[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 7, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2797-S2798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO PAUL ``PUCK'' ESPOSITO

 Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, in Alabama, we take a lot of 
pride in honoring and supporting the heroes who have served in our 
Nation's military. But it takes people who are dedicated to this 
mission 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
  No one embodies this cause better than Captain Paul ``Puck'' Esposito 
of Auburn, AL. The son of a World War II and Korean war veteran, Puck 
followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Navy in 1986. Puck 
spent 30 years in Active Duty as a Navy aviator. From flying grey 
helicopters, serving on an exchange tour with the Canadian Air Force, 
to spending 8 years at sea--you name it, Puck did it. He was sent on 
nine long deployments and served in every theatre the Navy has a 
presence in.
  A native of Long Island, Puck found himself settling down over 1,000 
miles from home in Auburn, AL. Upon taking charge of Auburn 
University's Navy ROTC unit, Puck and his wife Dana quickly fell in 
love with the Plains. After retiring from Active Duty in 2016, he was 
offered the position to direct the Auburn University Veterans Resource 
Center. It was in this role at Auburn that Puck, a career Navyman--and 
a native Northeasterner--embraced all that the South has to offer.
  His role at the vets resource center has been an essential part of 
filling the gaps for Auburn student-veterans and military-affiliated 
students. Though the center is largely focused on providing academic 
resources for its participants, Puck has taken a deeper approach. In 
addition to educational support, Puck and his team have worked to 
combat critical issues such as veteran suicide, food insecurity, and 
homelessness.
  Under the last decade of Puck's leadership, Auburn's vets resource 
center has expanded from supporting 600 students to 2,100 currently. 
They put on events like Project Iron Ruck and help Auburn recognize and 
honor veterans at many of the university's athletic events.
  We are proud to now call Puck one of our own, and we are grateful for 
all he does to support our veterans. It is my honor to recognize Puck 
Esposito as the May Veteran of the Month.

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