[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 4142]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN ANDY BLOMME, COMMANDER DANIEL WALSH, AND LIEUTENANT 
                        COMMANDER ROBERT POTTER

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I recognize CAPT Andy Blomme, 
Chief of Congressional Affairs for the U.S. Coast Guard; CDR Daniel 
Walsh, U.S. Coast Guard Senate Liaison; and LCDR Robert Potter, U.S. 
Coast Guard Deputy Senate Liaison, for all of the hard work they have 
done for me, my staff, and other members of the Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation Committee over the past several years.
  Captain Blomme graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1985. 
His illustrious, 30-year career includes nearly 12 years of sea duty 
and command of three Coast Guard cutters, command of Coast Guard Sector 
Jacksonville, FL, and service as Military Assistant to the Secretary of 
Homeland Security during the terms of Secretary Chertoff and Secretary 
Napolitano.
  Commander Walsh graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1993. 
His distinguished career includes service aboard U.S. and allied 
vessels, multiple assignments as a Coast Guard aviator, and service as 
Military Aide to the President of the United States during the terms of 
President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. Commander Walsh 
will next assume the Coast Guard Service Chair at the National War 
College in Washington, DC where he will serve as a service 
representative and instructor.
  Lieutenant Commander Potter graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard 
Academy in 1999. His noteworthy career includes 2 years aboard the 
Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton, operational assignments at two air 
stations, and service as an MH-60T flight examiner at the U.S. Coast 
Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile, AL. Lieutenant Commander 
Potter will be assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego where he 
will serve as the sector response chief.
  I congratulate Captain Blomme and thank him for his selfless and 
dedicated service to our Nation. I wish him and his family all the best 
in their future endeavors following his retirement from the Coast Guard 
this spring.
  I would also like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to 
Commander Walsh and Lieutenant Commander Potter for all of the fine 
work they have done and for their continued service to our Nation. I 
wish them further success in the years to come.

                          ____________________