James River Fleet, Fort Eustis, VA

July 15, 2004

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: It is a pleasure to be here this morning on behalf of the Bush Administration and Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta.

And I am pleased to be joined by my colleagues from the U.S. Transportation Command, the Military Sealift Command, SDDC, the American Maritime Officers, Seafarers International Union, as well as the ship master and crew of the S.S. Flickertail State.

We are here today to pay tribute to the officers and crew members of the S.S. Flickertail State. It is my honor to present the Maritime Administration’s Professional Ship Award to this outstanding crew. This award is a symbol of appreciation for their “can-do” attitude and the skillful way they stepped forward to meet expedited military requirements.

The S.S. Flickertail State was delivering cargo to Honduras when she was called to “skin-to-skin” operations with the Cape Trinity. After returning to the Naval Station in Norfolk the ship sailed immediately to Haiti, this time to respond to trouble brewing in that country. Working under extremely dangerous conditions in Port-au-Prince, the crew was able to discharge the cargo in only 9 hours, despite the adverse environment.

The American people are as proud of you . . . as are your friends and families gathered here today. Your exemplary performance and your dedication to the national interest of the United States underscores that you are carrying on a tradition of duty—the tradition of the seafarer, of the mariner, a tradition that predates the birth of our nation, and that is inseparable from our proud history.

I am privileged, as the Maritime Administrator, to present these awards to each of you. You have brought honor upon yourselves-and a grateful nation-by your bravery, perseverance, and devotion to duty. You have served your country nobly.

On behalf of the Maritime Administration, the Bush Administration and Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, I congratulate you. And all of us here salute the officers and crew of the S.S. Flickertail State.

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