[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Pages 21639-21640]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 604--RECOGNIZING THE WORK AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MR. 
  BRITT ``MAX'' MAYFIELD, DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER'S 
             TROPICAL PREDICTION CENTER UPON HIS RETIREMENT

  Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Inouye, Ms. 
Landrieu, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Mr. Shelby, Mr. DeMint, 
Mr. Cochran, and Mr. Martinez) submitted the following resolution; 
which was:

                              S. Res. 604

       Whereas Mr. Britt ``Max'' Mayfield is known as the ``Walter 
     Cronkite of Weather'', trustworthy, calming, and always 
     giving the facts straight;
       Whereas Mr. Mayfield is a Fellow of the American 
     Meteorological Society and a nationally and internationally 
     recognized expert on hurricanes, and has presented papers at 
     national and international scientific meetings, lectured in 
     training sessions sponsored by the United Nations World 
     Meteorological Organization, and provided numerous interviews 
     to electronic and print media worldwide;
       Whereas in 2006, Mr. Mayfield received the Government 
     Communicator of the Year Award from the National Association 
     of Government Communicators, a national not-for-profit 
     professional network of government employees who disseminate 
     information within and outside the government, as well as the 
     prestigious Neil Frank Award from the National Hurricane 
     Conference;
       Whereas in 2005, Mr. Mayfield received a Presidential Rank 
     Award for Meritorious Service from President George W. Bush 
     and was named ABC Television Network's ``Person of the Week'' 
     after Hurricane Katrina;
       Whereas in 2004, the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological 
     Services and Supporting Research presented the Richard 
     Hagemeyer Award to Mr. Mayfield at the Interdepartmental 
     Hurricane Conference for his contributions to the hurricane 
     warning program of the United States;
       Whereas also in 2004, the National Academy of Television 
     Arts and Sciences Suncoast Chapter recognized Mr. Mayfield 
     with the Governor's Award, more commonly known as an 
     ``Emmy'', for extraordinary contributions to television by an 
     individual not otherwise eligible for an Emmy;
       Whereas in 2000, Mr. Mayfield received an Outstanding 
     Achievement Award at the National Hurricane Conference and in 
     1996 the American Meteorological Society honored him with the 
     Francis W. Reichelderfer Award for exemplary performance as 
     coordinator of the National Hurricane Center's hurricane 
     preparedness training for emergency preparedness officials 
     and the general public;
       Whereas Mr. Mayfield and his colleagues have been 
     recognized by the Department of Commerce with Gold Medals for 
     work during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and Hurricane Isabel in 
     2003, and a Silver Medal during Hurricane Gilbert in 1988;
       Whereas Mr. Mayfield was also awarded a National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration Bronze Medal for creating a 
     public-private partnership to support the disaster 
     preparedness of the United States; and
       Whereas Mr. Mayfield is the current Chairman of the World 
     Meteorological Organization Regional Association-IV, which 
     supports 26 members from Atlantic and eastern Pacific 
     countries: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors Mr. Britt ``Max'' Mayfield's commitment to 
     improving the accuracy of hurricane forecasting as Director 
     of the National Hurricane Center's Tropical Prediction 
     Center;
       (2) thanks Mr. Mayfield for his service, which has 
     undoubtedly helped to save countless lives and the property 
     of citizens around the world;
       (3) commends Mr. Mayfield's dedication to expanding 
     educational opportunities for State and local emergency 
     management officials;

[[Page 21640]]

       (4) acknowledges the critical role that Mr. Mayfield has 
     played in forecast and service improvements over his 34-year 
     career;
       (5) recognizes the unwavering support of Mr. Mayfield's 
     family in supporting his career;
       (6) wishes Mr. Mayfield continued success in his future 
     endeavors; and
       (7) recognizes the support and work of the staff of the 
     National Hurricane Center's Tropical Prediction Center during 
     Mr. Mayfield's tenure as Director of the Center.

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I am introducing a Resolution 
to recognize Mr. Britt ``Max'' Mayfield for his outstanding service to 
our country in his capacity as head of the National Hurricane Center in 
Miami. He is retiring and I could not let Max retire without thanking 
him for all he has done to save countless lives and protect billions of 
dollars of property over his 34-year career.
  I have reached out to Max on numerous occasions over the last 2 years 
when Florida was in the path of eight hurricanes. His straightforward 
assessment of the risks and accurate predictions were a source of 
comfort and strength for all of us who live in hurricane-prone areas.
  For those reasons, Max is a nationally and internationally recognized 
expert on hurricanes. During his tenure with the National Hurricane 
Center the accuracy of hurricane forecasting has improved dramatically. 
Over his long career, he has earned many awards including NOAA's Bronze 
Medal for creating a public-private partnership to support the nation's 
disaster preparedness, the Francis W. Reichelderfer Award, an 
Outstanding Achievement Award, the Richard Hagemeyer Award, and a 
Presidential Rank Award from President George W. Bush.
  Max and his colleagues also have been recognized by the Department of 
Commerce with Gold Medals during Hurricanes Andrew and Isabel, and a 
Silver Medal during Hurricane Gilbert.
  On behalf of all Americans, thank you Max and best wishes in your 
well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________