[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 9062-9063]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  RETIREMENT OF COMMANDER THOMAS K. RICHEY, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I rise today to offer my congratulations to 
a fine Coast Guard officer, Commander Thomas K. Richey, who is retiring 
this month after more than 20 years of dedicated service to this 
country. Commander Richey served as a Legislative Fellow in my personal 
office from 1996 to 1998. During that time he was responsible for 
maritime, transportation and environmental issues that fell under the 
jurisdiction of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
Committee. In 1998 he accompanied me to Kyoto, Japan during the 
negotiations of the Kyoto Protocol for controlling greenhouse gases.
  Throughout his long and distinguished career Commander Richey has 
demonstrated superb managerial and leadership skills. Tom has served in 
a variety of demanding billets including Operations Officer of Coast 
Guard Group Mobile, Alabama, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Station 
Atlantic City, New Jersey and Deputy Program Manager for acquisition of 
Cutter and station boats. Along the way Tom has been awarded five Coast 
Guard Commendation Medals with Operational Distinguishing Device and 
one Coast Guard Achievement Medal with the ``O'' device and numerous 
other team and unit commendations.
  When Tom left my personal office in 1998 he became the Commandant's 
Liaison to the United States Senate. This is a top billet reserved for 
only the finest the service has to offer. His performance in both my 
personal office and the Senate has been outstanding. As many of my 
colleagues know, Tom was always quick to respond to any of our 
questions or concerns and was an invaluable tool in helping us respond 
to our constituents whenever a Coast Guard issue arose. I am grateful 
for having had the opportunity to work so closely with Tom.
  I offer again my congratulations to Commander Richey and his lovely 
wife Maureen who reside in Maryland with their two children Patricia 
and Tommy. I expect great things of this outstanding officer in the 
future. Mr. President, I yield the balance of my time to my colleagues, 
Senators Breaux and DeWine who wish to express their appreciation as 
well to Commander Richey for his dedicated service to this country.
  Mr. BREAUX. I am honored to join today Senator Kerry on the occasion 
of Commander Thomas Richey's retirement from the United States Coast 
Guard.

[[Page 9063]]

  Senator Kerry and I both serve on the Oceans and Fisheries 
Subcommittee, and in fact we have sat next to each other for years 
during committee executive sessions, hearings and other subcommittee 
fora. It was during these occasions that I first came to know Commander 
Richey. I would classify the period of 1996-1998 as a very busy time 
for the subcommittee. During this period, Tom was instrumental in 
advising Senator Kerry and subcommittee members in general on crucial 
oceans and fisheries, and maritime issues.
  On a more personal note, I sincerely appreciate Tom's assistance and 
diligent follow through in support of the issues and concerns of my 
constituents.
  It brings me and all Americans great pride in knowing that the Coast 
Guard is represented by individuals with such high ideals, integrity 
and dedication to duty. I know of the sacrifices made by Commander 
Richey and his family and offer my congratulations and personal thanks 
for a job well done. I wish Tom the best of luck in all future 
endeavors.
  Mr. DeWINE. I commend and congratulate Commander Thomas Richey of the 
United States Coast Guard for his more than 20 years of service to our 
country. Commander Richey has had a distinguished career of public 
service in defense of our great nation. I greatly appreciate all he has 
done to assist me and my staff over the past three years with maritime 
transportation issues on the Great Lakes.
  Additionally, Commander Richey played a vital part in helping me gain 
a better understanding of the varied and critical role our Coast Guard 
plays in the war on drugs. I've been fortunate to travel with Commander 
Richey, where I had the opportunity to observe, first-hand, Coast Guard 
drug interdiction efforts off the coast of the island of Hispanola and 
Puerto Rico.
  Commander Richey's accomplishments have been great and his presence 
here on Capitol Hill will be sorely missed. I thank him for his 
dedication and his service to our nation. I wish him and his family all 
my best.

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