[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 21 (Monday, May 29, 2006)]
[Pages 1015-1017]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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 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

[[Page 1016]]

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]
    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 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

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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. A tape was not available for verification of the 
content of these remarks.