Good morning. Thank you for such a warm welcome.
[Acknowledge VIPs]
Ladies and Gentlemen . . . a very warm welcome to you . . . thank you for joining us here today as we celebrate the extraordinary career of RADM Paul and Jane Pluta.
As those of you in the audience know, Paul is a huge baseball fan . . . although I must say, somewhat stuck in the past. If you ask him who his favorite team is, he'll tell you without a moment's hesitation, "The Brooklyn Dodgers." Having grown up in New Jersey, that makes sense. But Paul, they left Brooklyn 46 years ago! . . . Clearly, loyalty is one of your strong suits.
Speaking of baseball, I'm also a baseball fan, and luckily Paul and I were able to catch a couple of games together. He and I had the pleasure of seeing Cal Ripken's final game at Camden Yards on October 6, 2001. Ripken's one-of-a-kind -- hard working, down-to-earth . . . he got the job done, and done right, day-in and day-out. He is Mr. Dependable. Paul is cut from that same cloth - and just like Ripken inspired his teammates around him, so did Paul. You can see his results of in any number of ways.
You can see it in how Paul and his team responded to the security demands generated by the tragic events of 9/11. Paul was a key figure in developing, evolving, and refining the strategic and tactical plans and activities in the Coast Guard's role as the lead federal agency for the maritime component of homeland security . . . and in preparing for . . . and responding to . . . increased threat levels, and operations Liberty Shield, and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom over the past 18 months.
Throughout the Coast Guard, you can see it in how successful our Captains of the Port have been with the incredible increase in emphasis on their missions since 9-11:
Paul's effectiveness wasn't confined to just within our borders, either. Paul led the Coast Guard's work internationally on the maritime security amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, including the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, thus greatly enhancing maritime security around the world with our international partners. These rules greatly improve security in international shipping and port facilities and mark the first time the United States - or any country for that matter -- successfully negotiated for maritime initiatives involving shoreside facilities. Another aspect that is so extraordinary about these rules is the short time line involved - in less than a year from when first Jim Loy, and then I, asked Paul to take on this project, he led his team to victory by developing a comprehensive maritime security scheme while getting consensus from over 100 of our international partners - that's amazing work in a year's time! He has earned deep respect for himself and for the Coast Guard, at IMO and around the world.
At the same time he was working on maritime security at the international level, he was leading the Coast Guard's work domestically on the Maritime Transportation Security Act, or MTSA, ensuring alignment with the international initiatives. The MTSA will improve security for 10,000 vessels, 5,000 facilities, and all 361 commercial ports in the U.S. The work Paul and his staff have done on the MTSA is astounding - he focused G-M resources and time to complete this enormous regulatory project on schedule and with considerable input through public meetings and both interagency and internal Coast Guard engagement. As Paul would say, his team did it all . . . a lot of singles and doubles, some hit-and-runs, great defensive plays . . . and even several stolen bases and squeeze plays . . . but overall, it's grand slam territory! Through this work, Paul and his team have laid the groundwork to create a truly model Maritime Security Regime for our nation and for the world. And while focusing intense efforts on maritime homeland security, Paul and his staff have managed to keep their eye on the other extensive marine safety and environmental protection responsibilities the Coast Guard has . . . small, non-controversial issues like ANS and leased financing.
To succeed in baseball, you need to have individual excellence and great teamwork - as we can see, Paul, you would've made a heck of a baseball player. We're all just glad you chose the Coast Guard.
I've been focusing on Paul's tremendous accomplishments while here as my Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection. But as we all know so well, Paul has made noteworthy contributions throughout his career - as a newly commissioned Ensign, he served on board CHINCOTEAGUE, then MINNETONKA. Next he went to the University of Michigan, where he earned his Masters in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, then went to New Orleans, where he served in the Merchant Marine Technical Office. He was so good at it for the Eighth District that we scooped him up to Headquarters to continue that work for the entire Coast Guard. Next he was the Chief of Inspections at MSO Baltimore, then came back to Headquarters for tours as the Chief of the Engineering and of the Compliance and Enforcement Branches. He left Headquarters to take the first of his three commands, MSO Wilmington, NC; then his second at the Coast Guard's largest training command, Yorktown, VA. Next he went to Cleveland to serve as the Ninth District Chief of Staff. He was then selected for flag and appointed Director of DOT's Office of Intelligence and Security, serving as the Secretary's National Security Advisor. His last command brought him back to New Orleans, the Eighth Coast Guard District, the largest Coast Guard District. He then came back here to Headquarters as the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection.
Earlier, I mentioned that Paul and I had seen Cal Ripken's last game with the Orioles. Six years before his final game, Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's record for the most number of games played consecutively, earning himself the nickname of "Ironman". Well, now one of the Coast Guard's "Ironmen" is retiring - Paul is the last of his Academy class - and year group - still on active duty. Paul's class of '67 and I'm a year behind him. I see some of your classmates in the audience today . . . and you know, it's amazing how you can just never escape some memories . . . like all the push-ups your class made my class do.
Being the Class of '67 gave Paul some good insight when the Coast Guard transitioned to the Department of Homeland Security this year. You see, when Paul entered the Coast Guard Academy, the Coast Guard was in our original Department, Treasury. Then just before he was commissioned, the Coast Guard transitioned to the newly formed Department of Transportation, so Paul's class was the first to receive their commissions in the new Department. Then, almost 36 years after that, he helped us transition to another new Department, Homeland Security. Paul, I hope with all those organizational transitions under your belt, your personal transition today into retirement will be a smooth and easy one.
Of course since he's a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, Paul despises the Yankees and I've got to agree with him there. However, he is a fan of one oft-quoted Yankee, Yogi Berra, who said, "It ain't over til it's over." Well Paul, this chapter's pretty close to being over, but I know you and Jane have many wonderful chapters ahead of you.
To Jane and children, Christine and Brian, here today with us, and Kevin, who I'm sure is sending his dad lots of good thoughts … thank you for making the sacrifices necessary that allowed your husband and dad to serve his nation when it needed him most.
Paul and Jane . . . both Nancy and I wish you the best in the new adventures that lie ahead . .. thank you for your good works, your friendship, and our steadfast support.
God speed to you, and fair winds.