[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22396]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 HONORING COMMANDER VINCENT WILCZYNSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB SIMMONS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2001

  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and pay tribute to 
Commander Vincent Wilczynski, an Associate Professor of Mechanical 
Engineering at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. 
A resident of Old Lyme, he is a Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard, an 
educator, an administrator and civic leader in our community.
  Joined by various members of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. 
Coast Guard, friends, and family, he was honored today by the Council 
for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation 
who recognized CDR Wilczynski's achievements throughout the years by 
honoring him with the ``2001 Professor of the Year for a Baccalaureate 
Institution'' award presented at the National Press Club. He was chosen 
from a group of over 400 extremely qualified nominees.
  CDR Wilczynski is a 1983 U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduate, and 
received his masters and doctorate degrees from Massachusetts Institute 
of Technology and Catholic University. He has served in the Department 
of Engineering for the United States Coast Guard Academy for almost 
nine years. During this time he has introduced innovative and creative 
techniques to the classrooms and laboratories. He was instrumental in 
establishing the mechanical engineering major at the academy, and 
earning its accreditation, and has been a mentor to hundreds of 
cadets--many of whom are now commissioned officers.
  CDR Wilczynski has also extended his dedication to teaching beyond 
the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He has been a tireless proponent of 
community service programs that are helping to motivate elementary and 
high school students to pursue technical educations. He has also been 
teaching today's youth in high schools across the country through the 
FIRST (For Inspiration of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition.
  Mr. Speaker, CDR Wilczynski has reached out and touched the lives of 
many individuals throughout the nation through his innovative teaching. 
He has given us 18 years of service as an officer in the U.S. Coast 
Guard, and continues to serve the nation faithfully.
  Commander Wilczynski has truly distinguished himself and the U.S. 
Coast Guard Academy as the 2001 Professor of the Year. And he is the 
first member of the faculty of any of our service academies to be so 
honored in the 20-year history of this award.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members of the House of Representatives to join 
me in heartfelt appreciation for the service this dedicated man has 
provided to our country.

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