    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [May 25, 2006]
    [Pages 1013-1015]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Change of Command Ceremony for the Commandant of the
    United States Coast Guard
    May 25, 2006

        Thank you all. Thank you for the warm welcome. I'm delighted to be
    here with you at Fort McNair. I'm pleased to join you in celebrating an
    historic moment for the United States Coast Guard. This morning we mark
    a change of command at the helm of America's oldest continuous maritime
    service.
        Our Nation thanks a fine patriot, Admiral Tom Collins, for his leadership these past 4 years. And we thank
    his wife, Nancy, and their family for joining
    us today. We also congratulate Admiral Thad Allen, as he begins his duties as the 23d Commandant of the
    United States Coast Guard. And we appreciate the love and support of his
    wife, Pam, and their fine family as well.
        I want to thank Michael Chertoff for
    his distinguished service to our country. I appreciate the other members
    of my Cabinet who have joined to celebrate Thad Allen's beginning his duties as the Commandant: Secretary Elaine
    Chao and Secretary Norm Mineta and Secretary Sam Bodman and
    Acting Secretary Lynn Scarlett.
        I'm honored to be on stage with General Pete Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and I welcome his wife,
    Lynne, as well. I want to thank the Members of
    Congress who have joined us today. I appreciate Master Chief Frank
    Welch, who is the Master Chief Petty
    Officer of the United States Coast Guard. I want to thank Captain Wilbur
    Douglass for his fine invocation. I
    appreciate the members of the diplomatic corps who are here. Thank you
    all for coming.
        The history of the Coast Guard dates back more than two centuries to
    the Revenue Cutter Service, established by Alexander Hamilton during the
    presidency of

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    George Washington, or as I call him, the first George W. [Laughter]
        Through the generations, the men and women of the Coast Guard have
    stepped forward to defend our Nation, to protect our waterways and
    ports, to enforce maritime law, to safeguard commerce and natural
    resources, and to rescue those in peril on the seas. Now the Coast Guard
    is carrying out those missions during a new kind of war. The Coast Guard
    is vital to our Nation's security, and the American people are grateful
    to stand behind your shield of freedom.
        The Coast Guard is also the world's premier lifesaving service, and
    the whole world saw your skill and bravery during the hurricanes last
    year. They saw Coast Guard rescuers plunging from helicopters, lifting
    people from rooftops, hoisting them to safety. In all, more than 4,000
    Coast Guard personnel came to the aid of their fellow Americans and
    rescued more than 33,000 citizens. One of those saved said this about
    her rescuers: ``They're my guardian angels. I couldn't be here if it
    wasn't for them.''
        Countless others who lived through last year's hurricanes feel the
    same way. When Americans were at their most desperate, they looked to
    the skies for help, and they knew their prayers were answered when they
    saw those rescue choppers from the United States Coast Guard. The Coast
    Guard performed with courage and distinction, and your response to
    Hurricane Katrina will go down as one of the finest hours in the Coast
    Guard's 216-year history.
        In all your work over the past 4 years, the Coast Guard has
    benefited from a superb leader in Admiral Tom Collins. Admiral Collins assumed his duties as Commandant shortly
    after September the 11th, 2001, and has worked tirelessly to transform
    the Coast Guard for this war on terror. Admiral Collins has led the men
    and women of this service with honor and respect and devotion to duty.
    And he's made recruitment and retention a top priority. Thanks to his
    leadership, recruitment is up, and the Coast Guard's retention rate is
    at its highest level since World War II.
        Admiral Collins has a right to be
    proud of all that he accomplished in his time as Commandant. Now he has
    the right to take some time off. [Laughter] Maybe even spend a few
    afternoons at Fenway Park. [Laughter] Today Admiral Collins will mark
    the end of a distinguished 38-year career in the Coast Guard. He retires
    with the admiration and gratitude of the United States, and Laura and I wish him and Nancy all
    the best in the next chapter of their lives.
        In a few moments, Admiral Collins will
    pass the duties of Commandant to an outstanding successor in Admiral
    Thad Allen. I came to know Admiral Allen well
    last September when he directed recovery efforts after Hurricanes
    Katrina and Rita. We surveyed damage together. We sat one evening on the
    deck of the USS Iwo Jima talking about how we could help the folks in
    that region recover. He gave me regular updates on what was taking
    place--an incredibly devastated part of our country.
        It didn't take long to recognize his ability or his integrity or his
    ability to lead. I knew I could count on Admiral Allen to give me candid judgment. I relied on his steady nerves
    and his presence of mind in trying conditions. I was impressed by his
    compassion and his determination to help those who had lost so much.
        Admiral Allen brings his experience with
    Hurricane Katrina to his new post, and he brings much more. The Admiral
    is a graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, where he was a star football
    player--he still looks like he could hold his own on the gridiron.
    [Laughter] He spent his life around the Coast Guard officers and
    enlisted personnel. Admiral Allen's father, Clyde, with us today, served in the Coast Guard. That means
    Thad followed in his father's footsteps; I see nothing wrong with that.
    [Laughter]

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        At every stage of his career, Admiral Allen has inspired those around him with energy and dedication
    to service. One of his former colleagues
    likened Admiral Allen to the Energizer bunny. [Laughter] Another said, ``He brings out the best in people, especially in
    times of crisis.'' I want to thank Admiral Allen for his willingness to
    take on this incredibly important responsibility, and I look forward to
    calling him Commandant of the Coast Guard.
        One of Admiral Allen's most important
    tasks as Commandant will be to help ensure that the Federal Government
    is ready for the hurricane season, which begins a week from today. The
    Coast Guard performed heroically during last year's hurricanes, and
    other agencies of our Government can look to you for example.
        We're determined to learn the lessons of Katrina, and we're doing
    everything possible to be prepared for the next storm. The Department of
    Homeland Security has reviewed emergency plans for all 50 States and
    America's 75 largest cities. The Department is working closely with
    communities to identify any weaknesses in their plans and to find ways
    to improve them now.
        Secretary Chertoff has taken steps to
    reform FEMA, improve partnerships with the Red Cross and the Department
    of Defense, expand the amount of supplies the Federal Government has on
    hand. We're also making it clear that all able-bodied Americans should
    have the resources necessary to sustain themselves for 48 to 72 hours
    after a disaster so that emergency personnel can focus on saving those
    who cannot help themselves.
        I appreciate the many dedicated Americans who are working to prepare
    for this hurricane season. And I'm confident that if danger arrives,
    whether from nature or man, the United States Coast Guard will be ready.
        The Coast Guard has always been ready to defend our people and our
    freedom, and I thank you for your dedicated service. Semper Paratus.
        And now, in recognition of your exceptional service during Hurricane
    Katrina, I will present the Presidential Unit Citation to the United
    States Coast Guard.
        May God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:12 a.m. at Fort Lesley J. McNair. In his
    remarks, he referred to Capt. Wilbur C. Douglass III, USN, chaplain of
    the Coast Guard.