[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 1652-1653]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE IN RECOGNITION OF CAPTAIN CLEMIA ANDERSON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 15, 2014

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain 
Clemia Anderson, Jr. for his retirement from the United States Navy 
after more than 39 years of service to his country.
   Clemia Anderson, Jr. was born on October 16, 1955 to the late Clemia 
and Ceola Anderson and was raised in Marion Junction, Alabama.
   Mr. Anderson joined Valerie D. Watson of Portsmouth, Virginia in 
marriage and they are the proud parents of a daughter, LaSonja Tenette 
and two sons, Clemia III (CJ) and Kevin Dion.
   Mr. Anderson began his career in the U.S. Navy in 1974 and received 
training at the Naval Training Center in Orlando, Florida followed by 
an assignment to USS America, stationed at Norfolk, Virginia. Anderson 
reported to NAS Norfolk in 1979 where he worked with transient aircraft 
and served on the Civil Disturbance Team.
   PO3 Anderson was transferred to USS Lexington stationed at NAS 
Pensacola, Florida in February 1981 where he performed duties as Damage 
Control Petty Officer, Division Career Counselor and Training Petty 
Officer, and while stationed on USS Lexington, Anderson received the 
designation as Enlisted Warfare Specialist due to his tremendous 
qualifications. In July 1984, he was meritoriously advanced to Petty 
Officer First Class.
   ABH1 Anderson completed Instructor Training in Millington, Tennessee 
in October 1984 and reported to NATTC Lakehurst, New Jersey where he 
assumed duty as Instructor and Curriculum Technical Writer. While 
serving in Lakehurst, Anderson was instrumental in developing the ABH 
``C'' School course and was nominated for NATTC Sailor of the Year in 
1985. Anderson earned his Master Training Specialist pin in December 
1986, and was selected for the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) Program. In 
September 1987, he was commissioned at NATTC Lakehurst, New Jersey.
   Ensign Anderson reported to USS Carl Vinson, NAS Alameda, California 
in 1987 where he served as Assistant Flight Deck Officer, V-1 Division 
Officer and Night Aircraft Handler. In July 1990, Anderson transferred 
to NATTC Lakehurst, New Jersey as the ABH School Division Officer and 
Assistant School Director.
   Lieutenant Anderson served as Assistant School Director at the ABH 
``A'' and ``C'' Schools, ABE ``A'' School, ABF ``A'' and ``C'' Schools 
and the U.S. Marine ``EAF'' Schools in Millington, Tennessee until 
September 1991.
   Lieutenant Anderson reported to USS Wasp in September 1992 as Fuels 
Officer and transferred to NATTC Detachment Lakehurst, New Jersey in 
September 1995 as ABE Maintenance Support Officer.
   Lieutenant Anderson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander 
in September 1996 and in November of that year, he assumed the duties 
of Officer in Charge at the NATTC Detachment Lakehurst, New Jersey.
   Lieutenant Commander Anderson reported to USS Constellation, San 
Diego, California in September 1998 as Aircraft Handling Officer. In 
April 2000, following a very successful tour, Anderson returned to 
NATTC Detachment Lakehurst as Officer in Charge. He reported to USS 
Enterprise as Aircraft Handling Officer in February 2002 and in June 
2003, was promoted to Commander and transferred to NATTC Pensacola, 
Florida as Officer in Charge.
   Commander Anderson reported to the Program Executive Office of 
Aircraft Carriers in Washington, DC as the Flight Deck, Hangar Deck and 
Fuel Systems Manager in December 2005.
   Commander Anderson was selected for promotion to Captain in April 
2009 and transferred to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland as the Logistics 
and Industrial Operations Director in October 2009. On January 1, 2010, 
Commander Anderson was promoted to Captain. In April 2012, Captain 
Anderson returned to Program Executive Office Aircraft Carriers, PMS 
312 at the Washington Navy Yard.
   Captain Anderson has cultivated a tremendous reputation in his more 
than 39 years of service in the U.S. Navy, and he is known as one of 
the nation's premier experts on aircraft launch and recovery systems. 
Anderson is one of the first African-American Aviation Boatswains to 
rise to the rank of Captain in the U.S. Navy and is the recipient of 
the Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Gold Stars.
   While I know Captain Anderson will continue his service to his 
community and country in

[[Page 1653]]

various ways, I sincerely hope that his retirement is spent with much 
deserved relaxation and time with his friends and family.
   Due to Captain Anderson's remarkable contributions to our country 
through his service in the U.S. Navy, he deserves the gratitude of a 
grateful nation.
   On behalf of the 7th Congressional District, the State of Alabama 
and this nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Captain 
Anderson and wishing him continued success on his endeavors as he 
continues his journey in retirement. We are truly grateful for this 
extraordinary public servant.

                          ____________________