[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.