Volume 145, No. 78 covering the 1st Session of the 106th Congress (1999 - 2000) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN STEPHEN ERIC BENSON OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1134 on May 27, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN STEPHEN ERIC BENSON OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY
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HON. OWEN B. PICKETT
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 27, 1999
Mr. PICKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Captain Stephen Eric Benson, Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Oceana, who has served in the United States Navy for twenty-five years of faithful duty to his country.
For the past three years, Captain Benson has served as the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Oceana Virginia Beach, Virginia located in my congressional district. During his tenure as Commanding Officer, Captain Benson has distinguished himself by his exceptional efforts to establish and improve upon the relationship between the community and the Naval Air Station. It is a testimony to these efforts that as he leaves his post in June of this year, the relationship between the base and the City of Virginia Beach is one of the best in the nation.
The tenacious efforts of Captain Benson to enhance the cooperation with the surrounding community and his goal of serving as a ``good neighbor'' has not only helped the Navy achieve its mission, but also has made a direct contribution to the goals of the City of Virginia Beach. His open communication policy with both the Mayor of Virginia Beach and with the local congressional delegation has been exemplary and productive for all concerned.
Captain Benson has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the sailors stationed under his command. New living quarters and recreational improvements have been either built or have been funded. With the assistance of congressional leadership, local political leaders and businesses, a new Barracks for enlisted personnel and a new recreational facility have either been funded or are near completion as he executes his next assignment.
Captain Benson has overseen the movement of ten F/A-18 squadrons and their families to Naval Air Station Oceana from Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida. A total of one hundred fifty-six aircraft and nearly nine thousand personnel and dependents have made the transition to their new home in Virginia Beach with minimum impact to operations and family members.
Again enhancing community relations, he has developed and nurtured the local Military Air show into a community affair, aligned with the City of Virginia Beach's Neptune Festival. This event, once known as the NAS Oceana Air Show is now known as the Neptune Festival Air Show. The show has been not only profitable to the Military Welfare and Recreation Fund which has a direct impact on the improvement of quality of life issues for the sailors at NAS Oceana, but was awarded the Best Military Air Show in North America for 1998 by the International Councl of Air Shows. This is a true win-win scenario which has brought recognition to not only the base, but to the community at large.
Captain Benson has personally conducted hundreds of community presentations fostering the best base-community relationships within the Hampton Roads region. He has been lauded by both the Mayor of the City of Virginia Beach and myself for his efforts in working with the local political groups and businesses for the betterment of all concerned.
Under his charge, Naval Air Station Oceana has won two consecutive Environmental Awards in 1998 and 1999 for efforts to maintain the environment on this installation. From these efforts, to rapid response teams for fuel spills, to responses to Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) inquiries, NAS Oceana has been praised on all fronts.
Captain Benson is an active member of the Hampton Roads Rotary and the City of Virginia Beach Neptune Festival Committee, further enhancing the cooperation and community leadership between the base and the public at large.
A totally dedicated professional, Captain Benson has set a superior personal example of all military leaders to emulate. His many contributions will continue to be felt for many years to come in the Hampton Roads area. Because of his outstanding and distinguished record of accomplishments, his tenacious efforts to keep the local community informed and his outgoing personality, Captain Benson is truly worthy of recognition. We will surely miss him at Oceana Naval Air Station.
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