[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 15739-15740] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CAPTAIN SCOTT J. FERGUSON ______ HON. BRIAN HIGGINS of new york in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the significant achievements of Captain Scott J. Ferguson whose service with the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Buffalo were concluded today during a change of command ceremony on 1 Fuhrmann Blvd. As the Commander of the United States Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, Captain Scott J. Ferguson was responsible for a 570 mile coastline stretching from Massena, NY, to [[Page 15740]] Vermillion, OH, including three of the five finger lakes, St. Lawrence River, Niagara River, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the Erie Barge Canal. Captain Ferguson has been awarded three Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, and the Transportation 9-11 Medal, along with many others. Captain Ferguson has done a great deal for Sector Buffalo during his time as Commander. He always made it his mission to ensure the complete safety of those in his area of responsibility. He ensured that all personnel working in Sector Buffalo were properly trained and equipped to handle any emergency situation. Captain Ferguson continually worked on fulfilling his firm belief that Sector Buffalo was the ``gatekeeper'' of the Great Lakes. Captain Ferguson truly worked on promoting safe boating practices. In doing so, Captain Ferguson hosted a Safe Boating Week in Sector Buffalo to educate citizens on safe water and boating practices. In addition, he created the Annual Eastern Great Lakes Water Safety Expo, which included safety demonstrations, free recreation vessel inspections and tours of the Sector Buffalo Coast Guard base and the Buffalo Lighthouse. Captain Ferguson will be leaving to serve as the chief of prevention at the Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in thanking Captain Scott Ferguson for all that he has done for Western New York and Sector Buffalo and wish him every success in his future. ____________________