[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20481]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE CAREER OF REAR ADMIRAL LEENDERT R. HERING, SR., UNITED 
                              STATES NAVY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to the United States Navy 
are exceptional.
  Our country has been fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated leaders 
who willingly and unselfishly give their time and talent to keep this 
country free and safe. Rear Admiral Leendert ``Len'' Hering, Sr. is one 
such leader.
  Radm. Hering was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and commissioned 
through the NROTC Scholarship Program from State University of New York 
Maritime College in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in 
Meteorology and Oceanography. He has also earned a Master of Science 
degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the Naval 
War College, and a Master of Science degree in Business Management from 
Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island.
  Rear Admiral Hering's initial sea assignment was aboard USS Santa 
Barbara (AE 28), where he served as 1st and 2nd Division Officer and 
Assistant First Lieutenant. Upon completion of Department Head School 
in 1980 he was assigned to the commissioning crew of USS Fahrion (FFG 
22) as Ship's Control Officer and later as Combat Systems Officer. He 
had command of USS Aries (PHM 5) from January 1989 to January 1991 and 
USS Doyle (FFG 39) from July 1995 to March 1997. Doyle was a member of 
the Vinson Battle Group in Desert Strike; the ship earned the Battle 
``E,'' all possible departmental awards, the 1996 Chief of Naval 
Operations LAMPS Safety Award, and two TYCOM Safety Awards.
  His assignments ashore include duty as operations and plans officer 
to Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWELVE; aide and administrative 
assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Naval Warfare; 
Action Officer, Pacific Command Branch J-33, Joint Operations 
Directorate, Joint Staff; 1st Battalion Officer and Ethics Instructor, 
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland; Commanding Officer of Naval 
Base San Diego; Commander, Naval Surface Group Pacific Northwest; 
Commander, Navy Region Northwest, and presently Commander, Navy Region 
Southwest.
  Rear Admiral Hering's personal awards include (2) Legion of Merit, 
Defense Meritorious Service Medal, (4) Meritorious Service Medals, and 
various other personal achievement, service awards and ribbons.
  He and his wife Sharon have three boys. STS1 Lee Hering, USN, Tim, 
and Christopher.
  On the occasion of his retirement and on behalf of the people of the 
United States whom he has served with courage and honor, we commemorate 
the service of Rear Admiral Leendert R. Hering.

                          ____________________