[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3148]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO CHIEF PETTY OFFICER FERNANDO JORGE, USCG

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 7, 2012

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to U.S. Coast Guard 
Chief Petty Officer Fernando Jorge, age 39, of Buena Park, California 
and to honor his service to our country.
  CPO Jorge was one of four U.S. Coast Guard crewmen aboard a MH-65C 
Dolphin helicopter when it crashed into Mobile Bay on February 28, 
2012, during an evening training mission. The accident claimed the 
lives of each of the crew.
  CPO Jorge, a 20-year Coast Guard veteran and rescue swimmer, was 
stationed at the Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama at the 
time of the accident.
  A devoted professional who dedicated his life to saving others, CPO 
Jorge was accustomed to the challenges of the sea. According to the 
Mobile Press-Register, CPO Jorge was featured on the History Channel's 
``Extreme Search and Rescue'' program in 2004.
  CPO Jorge and his fellow crewmen of CG-6535 each shared a love of 
service and a dedication to saving lives. The Coast Guard is a vital 
protector for our Nation's coastal communities. We can never thank them 
enough for their commitment to our country.
  Mobile is a Coast Guard city and we suffer the loss of CPO Jorge as 
one of our own. We grieve with his family and we stand with them and 
the entire United States Coast Guard family.
  To quote the words of the Coast Guard hymn,

     Eternal Father, Lord of hosts,
     Watch o'er the men who guard our coasts.
     Protect them from the raging seas
     And give them light and life and peace.
     Grant them from Thy great throne above
     The shield and shelter of Thy love.

  On behalf of the people of Alabama and a grateful Nation, I offer 
condolences to CPO Jorge's family and many friends. You are each in our 
thoughts and prayers.

                          ____________________