Honoring the Accomplishments of Lieutenant Commander Jay W. Guyer

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service and dedication of Lieutenant Commander Jay Guyer, who is leaving his post as Deputy U.S. Coast Guard Liaison to the House of Representatives.

During his time as a liaison to the House, Lieutenant Commander Guyer was a consummate professional who exemplified the Coast Guard's values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty. Over the last three years, Lieutenant Commander Guyer's extensive knowledge of Coast Guard operations and strategic priorities has been invaluable to the Members of the Coast Guard's oversight Committees as critical decisions were made in an era of lean budgets.

Lieutenant Commander Guyer was instrumental in the education of Congressional Members and staff on Coast Guard missions, operations, and significant recapitalization needs. Lieutenant Commander Guyer worked tirelessly to showcase interagency operations throughout the Department of Homeland Security, highlighting the interoperability of homeland security agencies along the California coastline and leading delegations that examined the national security impact of illicit maritime smuggling throughout the Caribbean.

The men and women who serve as Congressional Liaisons make significant contributions to the success of the Coast Guard through their work with the Congress. Most notably, Lieutenant Commander Guyer played a key role in the transfer of 14 C-27J Spartan aircraft from the Air Force, avoiding over $500 million in Coast Guard acquisition costs. His continued support for vital recapitalization and modernization efforts was integral throughout the 113th and 114th Congresses.

Lieutenant Commander Guyer's extensive knowledge of the Coast Guard's response operations ensured oversight committees were kept continually apprised of rapidly unfolding events during Hurricane Sandy, the Boston Marathon bombing, and surges in alien-migrant interdiction operations. On a personal note, he has been a tremendous help to me and my staff, especially in coordinating oversight of the Coast Guard's vital missions on the Great Lakes.

I would like to thank Lieutenant Commander Guyer for his dedication and service in this challenging position and congratulate him on his upcoming position as Executive Officer on Coast Guard Cutter THETIS in Key West, Florida.

I wish Lieutenant Commander Guyer fair winds and following seas as he continues his outstanding service to our Nation and thank his wife, Jennifer, and his children, Adam, and Kaitlin for their continued support to the Coast Guard family.

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