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COMMITTEE REPORT
June 6, 2007
S. 795
S. Printed 6/6/07--H. [SEC 6/7/07 1:48 PM]
Read the first time June 5, 2007.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 795) requesting that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) rename Shutes-Folly Reach in Charleston Harbor for the late Rear Admiral, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the concurrent resolution, as and if amended, by striking all before the resolving clause and inserting:
/ REQUESTING THAT THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) RENAME SHUTES-FOLLY REACH IN CHARLESTON HARBOR "ADMIRAL BENNIS SHUTES-FOLLY REACH".
Whereas, Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis was born in Syracuse, New York, on December 21, 1949; and
Whereas, in 1972, he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Development from the University of Rhode Island and received his master's degree in Energy and Environmental Policy in 1983 at Harvard University; and
Whereas, Rear Admiral Bennis received his commission as Ensign from the Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, Virginia, in June of 1972; and
Whereas, during his long, rewarding career in the Coast Guard, he served as Captain of the Port of three of the largest container ports in the country. He served as Commander of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office and Captain of the Port of Charleston from 1991 until 1995; and
Whereas, Rear Admiral Bennis was the recipient of many awards and accolades during his storied career with the Coast Guard including: four Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals with the Operational Distinguishing Device, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, four Meritorious Team Awards, and three Coast Guard Special Operations Service Medals; and
Whereas, he oversaw safety issues when the Kapitan Martinovic was stranded in Charleston Harbor in December 1992, and during his tenure as Captain of the Port for New York and New Jersey, he organized the mass evacuation of more than five hundred thousand people from lower Manhattan following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; and
Whereas, following his retirement in 2002, this dedicated patriot further served his nation as the Associate Undersecretary for Maritime and Land Security for the United States Transportation Security Administration, a division of the Homeland Security Department; and
Whereas, this country certainly lost a great patriot and public servant on August 3, 2003, when Rear Admiral Bennis lost his battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife, the former Gloria Smith of Rhode Island, and together they boasted three grown children and one grandchild; and
Whereas, the life of Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis, a lifelong servant of his fellow countrymen, serves as a shining example of what it means to be a true American, and it is fitting for the South Carolina General Assembly to support the renaming of the Shutes-Folly Reach in Charleston Harbor to "Admiral Bennis Shutes-Folly Reach". Now, therefore,
Amend the concurrent resolution further by striking all after the resolving clause and inserting:
/ That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, request that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) rename Shutes-Folly Reach in Charleston Harbor "Admiral Bennis Shutes-Folly Reach". /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
ROBERT W. LEACH, SR. for Committee.
REQUESTING THAT THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) RENAME SHUTES-FOLLY REACH IN CHARLESTON HARBOR FOR THE LATE REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD E. BENNIS.
Whereas, Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis was born in Syracuse, New York, on December 21, 1949; and
Whereas, in 1972, he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Development from the University of Rhode Island and received his master's degree in Energy and Environmental Policy in 1983 at Harvard University; and
Whereas, Rear Admiral Bennis received his commission as Ensign from the Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, Virginia, in June of 1972; and
Whereas, during his long, rewarding career in the Coast Guard, he served as Captain of the Port of three of the largest container ports in the country. He served as Commander of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office and Captain of the Port of Charleston from 1991 until 1995; and
Whereas, Rear Admiral Bennis was the recipient of many awards and accolades during his storied career with the Coast Guard including: four Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals with the Operational Distinguishing Device, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, four Meritorious Team Awards, and three Coast Guard Special Operations Service Medals; and
Whereas, he oversaw safety issues when the Kapitan Martinovic was stranded in Charleston Harbor in December 1992, and during his tenure as Captain of the Port for New York and New Jersey, he organized the mass evacuation of more than five hundred thousand people from lower Manhattan following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; and
Whereas, following his retirement in 2002, this dedicated patriot further served his nation as the Associate Undersecretary for Maritime and Land Security for the United States Transportation Security Administration, a division of the Homeland Security Department; and
Whereas, this country certainly lost a great patriot and public servant on August 3, 2003, when Rear Admiral Bennis lost his battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife, the former Gloria Smith of Rhode Island, and together they boasted three grown children and one grandchild; and
Whereas, the life of Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis, a lifelong servant of his fellow countrymen, serves as a shining example of what it means to be a true American, and it is fitting for the South Carolina General Assembly to support the renaming of the Shutes-Folly Reach in Charleston Harbor to the Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis Reach. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, request that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) rename Shutes-Folly Reach in Charleston Harbor for the late Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis.
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