Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Major General Bruce F. Tuxill, Adjutant General for the State of Maryland. After graduating in 1967 from Salem College in West Virginia with a bachelor's degree in business administration, General Tuxill underwent undergraduate pilot training at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. For the next fourteen years, General Tuxill rose through the ranks at the Martin State Airport in Maryland. From 1994 until 2000, he served as the assistant adjutant general for air, Headquarters, Maryland Air National Guard in Baltimore. He then served as the Air National Guard assistant to the Commander of the United States Air Forces Europe in Germany until he was appointed Adjutant General for the State of Maryland in 2003.

In his role as Adjutant General, General Tuxill was responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all policies, programs, and plans affecting more than nine thousand men and women in Maryland's military department. The military department includes the Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard, Maryland Emergency Management Agency and the Maryland Defense Force. In the event of mobilization, if the state were to receive a presidential call to duty in times of war, national emergency, or operational contingency, General Tuxill would exercise command responsibilities and provide a force in readiness. As the Adjutant General, he served as the official liaison between the governor and the National Guard Bureau, and served as a member of the governor's cabinet.

Among his countless awards and decorations, General Tuxill has earned the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, State of Maryland Distinguished Service Cross, Meritorious Service Cross, and Commendation Medal.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Major General Bruce Tuxill in his retirement from the position of Adjutant General for the State of Maryland. His legacy as an experienced and capable military leader and his service to the State of Maryland will be forever remembered. It is with great pride that I congratulate General Tuxill on his exemplary military career and his outstanding leadership of Maryland's military department.

I thank you for yielding. Congressman Sarbanes, thank you for your advocacy. The Chesapeake Bay is so important to our region, to our country.

I do want to respond though to my colleagues on the other side about the issue of oil prices. We are talking about the Chesapeake Bay, which is very important to our country. We all know that the oil prices and energy is a very important issue. Believe me, we have had 8 years trying to deal with that issue. And we will continue to deal with it because we know people are suffering. But we are talking about the Chesapeake Bay today.

The Chesapeake Bay is very important to those of us who live in the Chesapeake Bay. We feel that we are stewards of the Chesapeake Bay. There are 16 million people that live within the watershed of the Chesapeake Bay, and that is very relevant. It's very relevant that we generate millions of dollars in seafood from the Chesapeake Bay. It's very relevant that our citizens who work around and within the Chesapeake Bay are also paid money for their jobs.

But, more importantly, it's also about an issue of the environment too. The watershed. Right now, the Chesapeake Bay is having problems. We have to deal with those problems. This bill is a very important bill because if we don't move forward with this bill, we will not be able to educate our peers, 16

million people who, unfortunately, don't understand that when you pour a toxic substance down the drain, that it could go to the Chesapeake Bay.

We need to educate our farmers to let them know that we need to have no-till farming, make sure that the fertilizer don't go to the Chesapeake Bay and kill the fish and the crabs and the oysters that are generated through the Chesapeake Bay.

So I feel very, very strongly that we need to pass this bill. It's a relevant bill. We will deal with the issue of energy. We need to. We can't keep relying on other countries for our oil. I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of reauthorizing this critical program to continue and expand the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network and make sure that the treasures of the Chesapeake Bay are preserved for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 385, I was in an Intelligence committee briefing. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support and recognition of May as National Drug Court Month.

Since the first drug court was created in 1989 drug courts have been a legitimate alternative to incarceration for nonviolent, drug-addicted offenders.

By combining judicial supervision, comprehensive substance abuse and mental health treatment, random and frequent drug testing, incentives and sanctions, clinical case management and life skills services drug courts provide substance abusing offenders with the much-needed chance at long-term recovery and productive lifestyles.

My home State of Maryland is a leader in the drug court movement. The Drug Treatment Court Commission was established in 2003 by Chief Judge Robert M. Bell of the Maryland Court of Appeals. The Commission has supported the development of 40 drug courts throughout the State so that Maryland can effectively respond to the thousands of individuals arrested in Maryland who are dependent on drugs and/or alcohol.

Drug courts work. According to an April 2008 evaluation of the Harford County District Court Adult Drug Court program participants were significantly less likely to be re-arrested than offenders who were eligible for the program but did not participate. In Harford County and throughout the State drug courts are making a difference. During May, National Drug Court Month, I am proud to share that 30 graduations are being held across the State.

Drug courts play an important role in breaking the cycle of addiction and crime and will

help to reduce the over-reliance on incarceration for the addicted. We must do all that we can to maximize the impact of drug courts across the Nation.

I applaud the work that the Maryland Drug Treatment Court Commission is doing and I congratulate all of the dedicated drug court professionals and graduates from Maryland and around the country.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Gloria McJilton, recipient of the 2008 Dundalk Optimist Club Citizen of the Year Award, the community's highest honor.

Gloria grew up in Dundalk, and has been active in the community ever since high school. Her husband, Richard McJilton, was honored with the same award in 1984 by the original Dundalk Chamber of Commerce. Gloria and Richard work together at a Nationwide Insurance office in Dundalk, and support each other in their various community endeavors.

Playing an integral role in a web of community organizations has let Gloria touch the lives of many in her community. She is currently the president of the Women's Club of Dundalk, which she feels is the most rewarding community work she does. Her work through the Women's Club has a direct impact on the community, through awarding scholarships and supporting local organizations.

In addition to her local community activities, Gloria has been involved in county and state activities as well. Baltimore County Councilman John Olszewski, Sr., appointed Gloria to serve on the Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission. She was chosen by Governors Parris Glendening and Robert Ehrlich to serve on the Maryland Judicial Nominating Commission, on which she sat for 12 years.

Gloria is a founding member and treasurer of the Greater Dundalk Alliance. She also served as elected chairperson on the Baltimore County Commission of Arts and Sciences, and has been a member of the Dundalk Concert Association for 32 years.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Gloria McJilton on being named the 2008 Dundalk Optimist Club Citizen of the Year. Her legacy as an active resident of Dundalk will be forever remembered through the impact her work has had on her community. It is with great pride that I congratulate Gloria McJilton on her exemplary service to the Dundalk community.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Stephanie Jameson, recipient of the 2008 Dundalk Optimist Club Humanitarian of the Year Award. To be eligible for this award, the recipient must live outside of Dundalk, but be very involved with the Dundalk community.

Stephanie has been a very active member of the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation (DRC), acting as a former president of the organization as well as the current treasurer. Aside from being an active member during meetings, Stephanie volunteers her time sitting on interviewing and hiring committees, handling very difficult personnel issues with which the DRC has been confronted.

While Stephanie resides in Anne Arundel County, she owns a State Farm office located in Dundalk and has thrown herself into community renovations there. Her Dundalk community activities include sponsoring Community Assistance Network families at Thanksgiving, as well as sponsoring a drunk-driving simulator at the Community College of Baltimore County in Dundalk and a Dundalk recreation council baseball team.

Stephanie participated in the 2001 Survey for the Urban Design Assistance Team (UDAT), which was made up of architects, urban planners and residents, which published a proposed revitalization plan for Dundalk in April 2002. State Farm offered to match the DRC's $15,000 to help the DRC in promoting the UDAT plan. Thanks to Stephanie's hard work, the DRC also received a grant from State Farm for an additional $75,000, which the DRC has used for buying and renovating its first homes to sell in Dundalk.

Since 2004, the DRC has been able to purchase local homes, renovate, and sell them to promote the area, thanks to the grant money Stephanie was able to secure. The grant money has been a remarkable help to the Dundalk community.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Stephanie Jameson on being named the 2008 Dundalk Optimist Club Humanitarian of the Year. Her legacy as an active member of the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation will be forever preserved in the DRC's many community projects. It is with great pride that I congratulate Stephanie Jameson on her exemplary service to the Dundalk community.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor the team members of the Baltimore Blast, who recently defeated the Monterey La Raza to win the Major Indoor Soccer League, MISL, 2008 Championship.

The Major Indoor Soccer League was formed in 2001 and consists of anywhere between 10 and 15 teams from across the Nation each season. Since the formation of the MISL, the Baltimore Blast has captured four championship titles--in 2003, 2004, 2006, and now 2008.

The Baltimore Blast's winning philosophy is their famous defense. The team has every player defend, and throughout the regular season, the Blast gave up the fewest points in the League. Players on the team are proud to play for the number one organization in the league.

During the off-season, the championship-winning team members of the Baltimore Blast hold summer soccer camps for young soccer players between the ages of 5 and 13 throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area. The young players are taught individual skills as well as teamwork.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor the Baltimore Blast. Their winning records and multiple championship titles ensure their legacy as a team to be dealt with. It is with great pride that I congratulate the team members of the Baltimore Blast on their fourth MISL Championship win.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Harford Day School's Destination ImagiNation, DI, team, who recently won first place in the ``Chorific Improv'' competition at the statewide Destination ImagiNation competition and is headed to the national finals this month in Tennessee.

Destination ImagiNation is a place where kids take what they know and what they excel at and learn to apply it to solve challenges, working cooperatively with a team and pushing the limits of imagination. Destination ImagiNation is a community-based, school-friendly program that builds the participants' creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork in enjoyable and meaningful ways. Teams of five to seven members work together to apply critical thinking and their particular talents to solve a Team Challenge. A Destination ImagiaNation Team Challenge is a challenge that is solved over a period of 8 weeks. Each Team Challenge is designed to be open-ended and solvable in many ways and on many levels.

The Harford Day School DI team participated in the Chorific Improv Problem this year. The criteria for the Team Challenge focused on improvisational acting, story development,

theater arts, team work, and sound design. Their challenge was to create a 6-minute improvisational skit about an ordinary, randomly selected chore in just 30 minutes at the Tournament. In addition, they had to integrate a randomly selected famous person into their skit.

The Team's chore was to brush the dog. They created a cardboard dog on a leash, and their setting was a train on which they were riding to a dog show. In their skit, they had to overcome two randomly selected obstacles, which in their case meant the only brush they had was their mother's brush, and the bristles were falling out. Erasmus Darwin was the famous person the Team needed to incorporate into their skit. As he was a poet and a scientist, the team member playing Darwin's character made up a poem to recite. As the scientist, they had their mother's brush evolve into a dog brush and they used the fire from the train engine to melt the bristles in place.

Harford Day School is a private school located in Bel Air, Maryland, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade. The school's team members include Ally Wright, Drew Devanney, Tommy Oursler, Charlotte Molali, Livy Ayd, Sammy Bowen, and Will Bolton. The team is led by managers Donna Peck and Marcy Sparks.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Harford Day School's Destination ImagiNation team. Their high scores at the Maryland statewide competition ensure their reputation as a team to be reckoned with in the national finals. It is with great pride that I congratulate the members of the Harford Day School DI team on their success in the statewide competition, and wish the team luck as they progress to the national finals.

I want to thank Congressman Gutierrez and also the gentlewoman from Illinois, Congressman Biggert, for your support of this bill. I would also like to thank Chairman Frank for his support, and Congressman Snyder of Arkansas for his tremendous help in gathering support of other Members for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to support this legislation to create the Star-Spangled Banner commemorative coin.

From VFW and American Legion halls across the country, to Little League baseball games, to presidential inaugurations, we play the national anthem to bring Americans together and honor our Nation.

My hometown of Baltimore is proud to be the home of America's national anthem. In September 1814, Francis Scott Key was held captive aboard a British ship in the Chesapeake Bay during the attack on Baltimore by British forces. The morning after the bombardment by the British navy, he looked out his window and saw a large American flag flying proudly over Fort McHenry. He knew the American forces had successfully defended the city of Baltimore. The next day he penned his famous poem in honor of that flag.

His brother-in-law, Judge Joseph H. Nicholson, set the poem to the tune of a popular British melody. A few days later it was printed in Baltimore and quickly spread to newspapers from New Hampshire to Georgia. The song gained popularity and was often played at public events and 4th of July celebrations. However, it was many years before ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' became our national anthem.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that the song be played at military events and other official occasions. By the late 1920s, a consensus formed across the country that America needed a national anthem. John Philip Sousa argued in favor of ``The Star-Spangled Banner,'' and in 1931, President Hoover signed legislation adopting it as the national anthem.

Even though it has been our anthem for more than 75 years, many Americans still don't know the lyrics to this wonderful song of our national anthem. A 2005 survey revealed that only 39 percent of Americans knew all of the words to our national anthem.

The National Anthem Project has worked to educate Americans about our national anthem. Last year, they brought more than 5,000 school children to Washington to sing the anthem at the Washington Monument with the United States Marine Band.

This legislation will create a commemorative coin to honor America's

national anthem. This $1 silver coin will be minted for the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and will help fund the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. It is my hope that this collectible coin will inspire more Americans to learn the lyrics of ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' and learn more about the War of 1812 and the history of our national anthem, as well as the role Baltimore played in the history of our national anthem.

The U.S. Mint only creates two commemorative silver coins each year. And I hope that my colleagues will join me in honoring Francis Scott Key and ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' with a vote for this bill today.

Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 213, I was at Bethesda Naval Hospital getting a CT scan. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Amendment No. 11 Offered by Mrs. Capito

Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 214, I was at Bethesda Naval Hospital getting a CT scan. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

personal explanation

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Rodney D. Hudson, founder and president of QuickSilver Analytics. Graduating with a bachelors degree in chemistry from Cameron University in 1974, Rodney went on to earn a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Delaware in 1982. QuickSilver Analytics is a registered service-disabled veteran-owned small business, specializing in chemical and biological warfare-related services and products. Rodney Hudson has been named the SBA's Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year for 2008.

Mr. Hudson was an Army Chemical Officer for over 21 years. He managed numerous chemical warfare materials (CWM) sampling and analysis (S&A) projects. Mr. Hudson has been directly involved with all aspects of chemical warfare agents for over twenty years, including CWM storage, laboratory procedures for environmental S&A, the operation of equipment for air monitoring, quality assurance/control, and major project management.

Mr. Hudson is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. While in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm, Mr. Hudson evaluated and briefed the Army Headquarters Staff on the potential chemical downwind hazards from destroyed Iraqi chemical storage igloos. He managed the collection, reporting and deployment of the only remote chemical monitoring and biological detection teams in the theater of operation and coordinated the transportation of all suspect chemical and biological samples to U.S. laboratories.

President of the Maryland Chapter of Elite Service-Disabled Veteran- Owned Business (SDVOB) Network, Rodney is also a member of the American Chemical Society, the Association of the United States Army, the National Defense Industrial Association, and the Society of American Military Engineers. Rodney has been a strong advocate for service- disabled veterans, lobbying the Maryland State Legislature to award three percent of all Maryland state contracts to service-disabled veterans. He has counseled several business owners on techniques and opportunities currently available to SDVOB owners and on ways to improve their business volume.

Mr. Hudson has worked tirelessly taking from his personal time to offer counsel to veterans who are considering starting a business. He has garnered the support of the MD Secretary of Veterans Affairs for his efforts and has provided a conduit for information flow to state legislators and the governor on issues important to Maryland SDVOB owners. Mr. Hudson has reached out to county government procurement personnel and introduced the Maryland Chapter of the Elite SDVOB network at last year's Maryland Association of Counties Conference.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Rodney Hudson. His legacy as a successful business owner in the defense industry is surpassed only by his tireless advocacy for service disabled veterans. It is with great pride that I congratulate Rodney Hudson on his being awarded the SBA's Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 322, recognizing the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel and reaffirming the bonds of close friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel.

Since its founding, Israel has been one of America's staunchest allies. As the only democracy in the Middle East, a close relationship between the United States and Israel helps ensure stability in that region.

The ongoing Palestinian/Israeli conflict is of great concern to me. The loss of innocent lives on both sides is troubling and tragic. The ultimate solution must come in the form of a true peace between these neighbors so they may live side-by-side. I support policies that promote a peaceful solution to the conflict. I have visited the region a half dozen times and met with leaders in several of the key countries. I am convinced that a path to peace is the only way to provide true security and prosperity for every nation.

Since Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East, peace in this troubled area is of direct interest to our Nation. Our Nations' strong alliance will help create a lasting peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis and will diminish much of the tension and violence throughout the Middle East.

Born out of the tragedy of World War II and the Holocaust, Israel provides a safe and secure homeland for Jewish people from the entire world. I thank Israel for its friendship with the United States, and look forward to another 60 years of close cooperation between our Nations.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor James (Jim) R. Halusky, Director of International Operations in the Aerospace Systems Division at Northrop Grumman Corporation, on the occasion of his retirement after over 40 years of service.

Jim graduated from Grove City College with a bachelor's degree and has since completed a variety of executive level development programs. He began his career with Westinghouse Electric Corporation (now Northrop Grumman Corporation) in July 1967 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as an electrical design engineer. He has served Northrop Grumman Corporation in a number of different capacities. As Director of Engineering Design and Manager of International Armament Cooperative Programs, Jim made important contributions to many of the electronic systems contained in the industry's most advanced systems, such as the F-16, F-22, JSF, and the C-130.

Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems Sector located in Linthicum, Maryland, is a leading developer, manufacturer, integrator and supporter of a variety of advances electronic and maritime systems for U.S. and international customers for national security and non-defense applications.

As Director of International Operations for the Aerospace Systems Division of the Electronic Systems Sector, Jim had primary responsibility to support all facets of the Aerospace Division's ongoing international programs as well as future developing international opportunities. His responsibilities centered on managing the Division's Export Compliance and Offset/Countertrade requirements. He worked closely with various U.S. Government agencies such as DTSA, DSCA, SAF/IA and N-IPO and with various industry partners such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Jim had considerable experience working with numerous international industry affiliates such as MELCO, Terma and Thales.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor James (Jim) R. Halusky. His legacy as a creative leader in electronic systems pioneering and his 40 years of distinguished service to the industry will be forever remembered. It is with great pride that I congratulate Jim Halusky on his exemplary career in electronic and technological defense.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Leo H. Caron, recently awarded the 2008 Congressional Volunteer Recognition Award by the 2nd Congressional District of Maryland's Veterans Advisory Council.

Leo Caron has dedicated almost 250 hours of his time to volunteer for the patients at the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation Extended Core Center (BRECC). He volunteers at the BRECC at least twice a week, which is not easy for Leo as he is disabled himself and cannot drive himself or walk without the assistance of a walker.

At the BRECC, Leo makes it his mission to ensure every patient has the best possible stay. Leo often searches for support from public agencies, and throughout his extensive searches for resources, he has helped orchestrate donations of such items as books on tape, voice activated watches for blind patients, and other items. He also makes monetary donations to the BRECC for additional resources and will often bring the patients candy and treats.

Despite his own physical challenges, Leo provides recreational visits, personal visits, and resources to the many patients at the BRECC. He does his best to cater to every patient's needs, volunteering his time, donating his money, and tirelessly searching for additional resources to better the patients' time at the BRECC.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Leo Caron. He is a truly remarkable volunteer for Maryland's veterans. Through his ongoing efforts, he has helped hundreds of veterans receive the resources and comforts they deserve and served as a consistently positive influence in their lives. Leo has gone above and beyond the call of duty to aid those who have dedicated their lives to serve our great country.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Hilda Davis, recently awarded the 2008 Congressional Volunteer Recognition Award by the Second Congressional District of Maryland's Veterans Advisory Council.

Hilda Davis's husband belongs to the Elks Association's Essex Lodge No. 1866. The lodge visits the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation Extended Care Center, BRECC, frequently, and Hilda's involvement in these visits has increased throughout the years. Not only does Hilda do extensive work for the veterans at the BRECC, but she volunteers at other lodges when they invite veterans to their facilities for various events.

Hilda spends several hours a month volunteering at the BRECC, but she also spends many more hours doing behind the scenes work for BRECC events. For every holiday and party, Hilda makes sure she buys decorations and other festive items that can be used for events with and for the veterans.

During her spare time, Hilda also writes letters to different businesses and organizations asking for donations, either monetary or items that can be used for events for the veterans or given directly to the veterans themselves. Whenever Hilda learns of a female veteran patient at the BRECC, she makes personal comfort kits to take them. Because the BRECC facility does not have a canteen, Hilda will also periodically make snack bags to bring to the patients when the lodge makes their monthly visits to the veterans.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Hilda Davis. She is a remarkable volunteer for Maryland's veterans. Through her ongoing efforts, she has brought joy and delight to the hundreds of veterans she has worked with. Hilda has gone above and beyond the call of duty to aid those who have sacrificed to serve our great Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor BM1 Robert M. Flickinger, recently named the 2007 Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year. Since the start of his Coast Guard career, he has risen through the ranks, attaining the rank of Boatswain's Mate 1, BM1, in June of 2004. During his course of duty, he has also served as a training petty officer and the Executive Petty Officer of Aids to Navigation Team Baltimore.

In the Coast Guard, it is said that the most versatile members of their operational teams are the boatswain's mates. BMs are capable of performing almost any task in boat operations and navigation, and supervise all personnel assigned to a ship's desk force. BMs can be found in nearly every duty station available throughout the United States and various locations overseas. They serve on every Coast Guard cutter, from harbor tugs to sea-going icebreakers. Additionally, BMs will often act as Federal law enforcement officers. BMs are officers- in-charge of many patrol boats, tugs, small craft, and small shore units including search and rescue stations and aids to navigation teams. BMs use their leadership and expertise to perform the missions of the Coast Guard, at sea and on shore.

As Executive Petty Officer of Aids to Navigation, ATON, Team Baltimore Boatswain's Mate First Class Robert Flickinger has continuously provided exceptional leadership and guidance to the crew he oversees. While engaged in over 100 ATON missions in the past year, his professionalism and assertive leadership have led to his unit's zero operational mishap rating. Boatswain's Mate First Class Flickinger is often described by his superior officers as ``recruiting poster quality'' due to his unsurpassed uniform appearance, military presence, and overall demeanor. His superiors

routinely rely on him to supervise or solve difficult problems and demanding situations. Boatswain's Mate First Class Flickinger consistently seeks to improve the quality and enjoyment of Coast Guard life with an uncommon commitment to the morale and welfare of others. These exceptional qualities are likely the reasons lie was given the title of 2007 Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year.

In addition to the prestigious Person of the Year Award, Boatswain's Mate First Class Flickinger has received several additional military awards. He is the recipient of the Commandant's Letter of Commendation, three Coast Guard Good Conduct Medals, and two Coast Guard Achievement Medals. He has also been presented with the Transportation 9-11 Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor BM1 Robert M. Flickinger. His legacy as compassionate yet assertive leader will be remembered by his crewmates and superiors for years to come. It is with great pride that I congratulate Boatswain's Mate First Class Flickinger on his exemplary service to our Nation in the United States Coast Guard.