[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.