[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9295]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING CAPTAIN WILLIAM J. MILNE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 17, 2013

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true leader for 
his extraordinary service in the United States Coast Guard, Captain 
William J. Milne. Captain Milne served his country for 38 years in the 
Coast Guard and on June 14, he will retire as the Director of Law 
Enforcement, Maritime Security, and Defense Operations Policy at Coast 
Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC. We all owe him a debt of 
gratitude for his commitment to service and to our country.
   A native of Seattle, WA, Captain Milne graduated from Coast Guard 
Recruit Basic Training in 1975. His first assignment was as a Search 
and Rescue communications watchstander at Coast Guard Station Umpqua 
River in Winchester Bay, OR. During this assignment, he not only earned 
the distinguished SURFMAN designation, but was quickly promoted to 
Boatswain's Mate First Class in the Coast Guard and assumed the duties 
as Executive Petty Officer of the Station. Continuing his rapid 
promotion through the ranks, CAPT Milne was commissioned as an Ensign 
after completing Officer Candidate School in 1986.
   As an officer, Captain Milne served on six Coast Guard cutters 
including serving as the commanding officer of the cutters Cape Corwin, 
Redwood and Juniper. He also served in numerous shore-based leadership 
positions including Coast Guard Liaison to the United States House of 
Representatives, and commanding officer of one of the Coast Guard's 
largest training commands in Yorktown, Virginia. In addition to 
completing some of the most challenging and demanding assignments in 
the Coast Guard, Captain Milne also earned a Bachelor of Arts in 
Business Administration, an MBA and a Masters degree in National 
Security and Strategic Studies.
   Captain Milne is finishing his distinguished career as the Director 
of Law Enforcement, Maritime Security, and Defense Operations Policy. 
In this assignment, as well as his previous position as the Program 
Director for Maritime Counter-Terrorism, Captain Milne oversaw the 
development of Coast Guard strategic and operational policy vital to 
our Nation's maritime safety and security. In addition, he was a key 
leader in the development and management of the Coast Guard's 
Deployable Specialized Forces. His foresight, experience and judgment 
ensured these highly specialized forces were not only ready to deploy 
in response to national security threats, but were also prepared to 
protect the environment and provide humanitarian assistance to those in 
need. Most recently, CAPT Milne led the Coast Guard's response to the 
tragic terrorist bombings at the Boston Marathon, ensuring the Port of 
Boston was well-protected during the vulnerable days following the 
attack.
   A highly decorated officer, Captain Milne's awards include the 
Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, five Coast Guard 
Commendation Medals, the Department of Transportation 9/11 Medal for 
his service in New York City in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 
attacks, and several other personal and unit awards.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents and a grateful Nation, I 
ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
extraordinary career of Captain William J. Milne. There are few 
opportunities for us to recognize the accomplishments of those who 
selflessly dedicate their lives to the service of our country, and I 
cannot thank Captain Milne, his wife Martina, their two children, Dean 
and Lacey, and their eight grandchildren, with three more on the way, 
enough for everything they have done and sacrificed to protect our 
Nation.

                          ____________________