[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 121 (Thursday, July 23, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H5189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING COAST GUARD PORT SECURITY UNIT 308

  (Mr. EZELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding men 
and women of the United States Coast Guard Port Security Unit 308, 
proudly headquartered in Pascagoula, Mississippi, for receiving the 
Rear Admiral Bennett ``Bud'' Sparks Award, one of the highest honors 
bestowed upon the Coast Guard Reserve unit.
  This prestigious award recognizes excellence and operational 
readiness, reserve integration, and mission performance. PSU 308 has 
more than earned this distinction.
  Over the past year, these citizen servicemembers supported critical 
missions across the Indo-Pacific, became the first Coast Guard Reserve 
unit to execute back-to-back embarked security deployments aboard 
Military Sealift Command vessels, and deployed within 48 hours to help 
secure our Nation's southern maritime border during Operation River 
Wall.
  They also conducted hundreds of patrols while maintaining an 
excellent reserve readiness rate of nearly 97 percent.
  These achievements reflect the professionalism, discipline, and 
unwavering commitment of the men and women who balance civilian careers 
with answering our Nation's call whenever duty requires.
  As chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
Subcommittee, I know firsthand the vital role that our Coast Guard 
plays in protecting America's maritime interests. The members of PSU 
308 embody the Coast Guard motto of semper paratus, always ready.
  To the servicemembers of Port Security Unit 308 and their families, I 
thank them for their sacrifice, their dedication, and their faithful 
service to our Nation. Mississippi is proud of them, and so is the 
United States of America.

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