[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14178]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF COMMANDER ERIK FRANZEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JUAN VARGAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2014

  Mr. VARGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Commander Erik Franzen 
for his outstanding and invaluable service to his community and the 
United States of America, as he embarks on a new mission at his next 
command, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach.
  Commander Erik Franzen began his naval career in 1991 after 
graduating from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts 
degree in Liberal Studies and was commissioned through the NROTC 
program.
  In 2010, Commander Erik Franzen reported onboard the Naval Air 
Facility (NAF) El Centro as the Executive Officer. He later assumed 
command of the installation on July 1, 2013 and spearheaded several 
infrastructure improvements to NAF El Centro. These enhancements 
included a complete remodel of the Naval Exchange Building and the Take 
5 coffee shop, an overhaul of the sports complex, installation of 
artificial turf on the sports field and sundry improvements to 
workspaces throughout the base.
  As a result of Commander Erik Franzen's guidance and leadership, NAF 
El Centro has increased in mission capability, improved customer 
service to visiting detachments and seen a tremendous boost to the 
overall morale of the base. I applaud Commander Erik Franzen for his 
distinguished service to NAF El Centro, the Imperial Valley, and the 
nation.

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