[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16945]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO OUR NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 17, 2002

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate an 
outstanding member of our military, and native of my district, whose 
impressive service in the United States Navy makes our district, our 
country, and me very proud.
  Vince McBeth was born the fourth child of Velma McBeth-Slaughter and 
the late Manuel M. McBeth in Camden, Arkansas. In 1983, he graduated 
from Fairview High School, where his impressive athletic and academic 
performance earned him many honors. He went on to earn a Bachelor of 
Science Degree in Political Science at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he 
was Captain of the Navy Football Team as well as an officer on the 
Brigade Staff.
  Upon receiving a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, McBeth 
completed division officer tours aboard two guided-missile frigates, 
USS Duncan and USS John A. Moore, and a guided-missile cruiser, USS 
Antietam, in Long Beach, California. He then served as Operations 
Officer aboard the USS Barry in Norfolk, Virginia.
  At age 30, McBeth became one of the youngest officers to command a 
warship. As Commanding Officer of the USS Tempest, McBeth commanded 
more than 50 special warfare missions while deployed to the European 
and Caribbean theaters. After earning a Master's Degree in 
International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy 
at Tufts University, McBeth returned to serve as Executive Officer of 
the USS Barry. He now serves as a Commander in the U.S. Navy and the 
Administrative Aide to the Secretary of the Navy. McBeth was recently 
appointed as a White House Fellow.
  McBeth's service to our country extends beyond his actions in the 
military. He has coordinated Adopt-A-School programs in several 
communities and implemented U.S. Embassy-sponsored community relations 
projects in numerous countries abroad. His awards include the Legion of 
Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, and 
three Navy Achievement Medals.
  Throughout his life, McBeth has sought to better himself, his 
community, and his country. He is a model for today's youth of what is 
possible through hard work, discipline, and most of all, compassion. I 
congratulate him on his recent White House appointment, and I wish him 
luck in what I know will be many more selfless years of service to our 
great nation.

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