[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                   TRIBUTE TO VICE ADMIRAL NANCY HANN

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Vice Admiral Nancy 
Hann upon her retirement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration after nearly 30 years of distinguished service to our 
Nation.
  Vice Admiral Hann's career reflects the highest traditions of 
uniformed service: professional excellence, operational expertise, and 
an unwavering commitment to the workforce and mission. She began her 
career as a fisheries observer, and after commissioning in the NOAA 
Corps, she built her leadership through hands-on operational service as 
a deck officer at sea, a pilot in NOAA aircraft, and a flight 
meteorologist supporting missions critical to environmental 
intelligence and public safety.
  As a NOAA pilot and flight meteorologist, Vice Admiral Hann flew 
demanding missions in support of hurricane forecasting, marine mammal 
research, and environmental response, working alongside scientists and 
crews in some of the most challenging operational environments NOAA 
faces. Those experiences shaped a leader grounded in real-world 
operations and the people who carry them out.
  She went on to serve in a wide range of senior operational and 
management roles, including commanding officer of the NOAA Aircraft 
Operations Center, senior leadership positions within the NOAA Corps 
and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, and NOAA liaison to 
U.S. Pacific Command. Most recently, she served as Director of the NOAA 
Commissioned Officer Corps and Deputy Under Secretary for Operations, 
overseeing NOAA's ships, aircraft, uncrewed systems, diving programs, 
and small boats worldwide.
  Through these senior roles, Vice Admiral Hann's leadership also had a 
lasting impact in Rhode Island. She was instrumental in supporting 
NOAA's Atlantic Fleet and advancing the relocation of the Marine 
Operations Center--Atlantic to Newport, reinforcing the Ocean State's 
role as a hub for maritime operations and strengthening NOAA's 
operational readiness.
  A true trailblazer, Vice Admiral Hann became the first woman to 
attain the rank of vice admiral--one of only three officers promoted to 
that rank in NOAA Corps history--and served as the first and only 
commissioned officer to act as NOAA Administrator. She did not simply 
break barriers; she built pathways, expanding opportunity and 
strengthening the professional culture for those who followed.
  Throughout her career, Vice Admiral Hann championed inclusion, 
mentorship, and workforce development. She has emphasized that 
leadership is about removing obstacles so others can succeed, and she 
consistently worked to create environments where people could thrive 
and do their best work. Her efforts helped prepare the next generation 
of NOAA scientists, pilots, engineers, and mariners to carry forward 
the Agency's vital mission.
  As Vice Admiral Hann concludes her career, the Nation owes her a deep 
debt of gratitude. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Vice 
Admiral Nancy Hann for her extraordinary service and in congratulating 
her on a well-earned retirement.

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