[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 529]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MR. JAMES K. STRICKLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 21, 2010

  Mr. FORBES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. James 
K. Stickland, on the occasion of his retirement as Executive Support 
Officer at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
  As the Senior Leader assigned coordination of VIP visits, he was 
successful in promoting the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and its 
accomplishments to all levels of government, from local mayors in the 
community up to and including State and U.S. Senators. Those visits had 
a positive impact on the Naval Sea Systems Command as a whole in that 
they enabled our governmental representatives to see first-hand the 
special circumstances and challenging work situations we encounter 
every day in the ship repair community.
  As the Executive Support Officer, he directed a staff which 
encompasses security, public affairs, congressional affairs, command 
instructional design, drug free workplace program, internal review, and 
parking control. His work during this period was complicated by the 
merger of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center into the Norfolk 
Naval Shipyard. He not only welcomed new personnel into his 
organization with proper courtesy and care, his public affairs 
expertise was helpful in developing and executing a communication 
strategy for the workforce to accompany such a significant change. That 
integration was completed in phases, with each phase being executed 
seamlessly, in accordance with established schedules.
  As Executive Support Officer, he developed a relationship of trust 
and open communication among all levels of the Shipyard, from labor 
organization representatives up to and including the Shipyard 
Commander. He brings to the table a well-deserved depth of experience. 
When emergent or new tasks come about, he continually delivers not only 
within his assigned responsibilities, but he goes out of his way to 
help other departments where he can. He has clearly demonstrated 
excellence through an aggressive pursuit of quality and has shown, not 
only to the Navy but also to the community, that people with 
inspiration and dedication can make a difference.
  Mr. Strickland's aggressive actions in connection with identified 
security deficiencies at Norfolk Naval Shipyard resulted in 
improvements in processes which have crossed over and positively 
impacted the region as a whole. Similarly, his recent involvement 
regarding proposed reductions in fire and emergency services at NNSY, 
Naval Medical Command Portsmouth and Naval Station Norfolk resulted in 
no reduction in service or adverse impact to mission.
  Mr. Stickland was awarded the Purple Heart for injury sustained 
during his service in the Navy, demonstrating his selfless sacrifice 
and the full measure of his devotion to the United States.
  Madam Speaker, please join me and the employees of Norfolk Naval 
Shipyard in offering our sincere congratulations to Mr. Strickland on 
his exemplary service and a retirement well deserved.

                          ____________________