Recognizing Coast Guard Port Security Unit 308

Floor Speech

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Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding men and women of the United States Coast Guard Port Security Unit 308, proudly headquartered in Pascagoula, Mississippi, for receiving the Rear Admiral Bennett ``Bud'' Sparks Award, one of the highest honors bestowed upon the Coast Guard Reserve unit.

This prestigious award recognizes excellence and operational readiness, reserve integration, and mission performance. PSU 308 has more than earned this distinction.

Over the past year, these citizen servicemembers supported critical missions across the Indo-Pacific, became the first Coast Guard Reserve unit to execute back-to-back embarked security deployments aboard Military Sealift Command vessels, and deployed within 48 hours to help secure our Nation's southern maritime border during Operation River Wall.

They also conducted hundreds of patrols while maintaining an excellent reserve readiness rate of nearly 97 percent.

These achievements reflect the professionalism, discipline, and unwavering commitment of the men and women who balance civilian careers with answering our Nation's call whenever duty requires.

As chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, I know firsthand the vital role that our Coast Guard plays in protecting America's maritime interests. The members of PSU 308 embody the Coast Guard motto of semper paratus, always ready.

To the servicemembers of Port Security Unit 308 and their families, I thank them for their sacrifice, their dedication, and their faithful service to our Nation. Mississippi is proud of them, and so is the United States of America.

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