E772 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 3, 2013 A SALUTE TO NATIVE RECOGNIZING SNOOTY THE importance of their presence in the South Flor- WILLIAM R. ELLIS MANATEE’S 65TH BIRTHDAY ida community. For example, in 2010 SOUTHCOM led Operation Unified Response, HON. HON. VERN BUCHANAN in which a force of about 22,000 troops, more OF FLORIDA OF FLORIDA than 30 ships, and 300 aircraft provided life- saving assistance and distributed millions of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pounds of food and water in Haiti following its Monday, June 3, 2013 Monday, June 3, 2013 devastating earthquake. Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to rec- With an economic impact of $600 million on William R. Ellis who has been an integral part ognize Snooty the Manatee’s 65th Birthday. Miami-Dade County, SOUTHCOM’s positive of Brevard County, Florida for more than 50 Snooty is an ambassador for wildlife preser- influence is keenly felt throughout the commu- years. Bill currently serves as the Vice Presi- vation, a local celebrity, and tourist attraction nity. SOUTHCOM personnel are mainstays in dent of Government and Industry Relations for to Manatee County, most of which I represent community organizations and contribute an as- Health First, Inc. in Meltourne, Florida. He will in Congress. tonishing 30,000 volunteer hours each year to retire from that position on June 14, 2013, Born on July 21st, 1948, Snooty is the local charity groups, community projects, and after 57 years of distinguished service to our world’s oldest known living manatee. events. Moreover, by participating in activities community and the State of Florida. Since June 20, 1949 he has lived at South such as color guard presentations at sporting For the past 15 years, Mr. Ellis has been re- Florida Museum in Bradenton, Florida, where events and parades, and giving speeches at sponsible for all governmental and industry re- researchers from New College of Florida and meetings sponsored by local organizations, we lations for Health First, Inc. Bill also currently Mote Marine are able to learn more about the are all reminded of our civic duty and the sac- serves as a consultant for The Viera Company health and life cycles of manatees. rifices made by those who serve. and has served as a consultant for the Gov- Manatees frequently suffer from both man- SOUTHCOM has become an invaluable or- ernmental and Community Affairs of the Ca- made and natural hazards, such as red tide, ganization for the state of Florida, the Nation naveral Port Authority. In that position, Bill was cold water, boat strikes, and, in the past, hunt- as a whole, and the region it serves. I am ex- responsible for maintaining community and ing. tremely proud to have SOUTHCOM in my governmental relations locally and statewide. Snooty is one of the most popular rep- Congressional district, and I am confident that Bill Ellis is well recognized for his early resentatives for endangered species. they will continue to represent the interests of years of service. From 1956–1982 he served He has fostered 26 manatees recuperating the with distinction. in various managerial positions with the Flor- from illness or injury and is currently sharing Mr. Speaker, I am honored to congratulate ida Power & Light Company in Brevard Coun- his 60,000 gallon fresh water pool with two SOUTHCOM as they celebrate this milestone. ty, Florida. From 1982–1986 he held the posi- young rescued manatees, Cheeno and Longo. I am certain that we can all look forward to tion of Federal and State Regulatory Rep- Snooty has also contributed to public edu- many more years of outstanding service, and resentative in Washington DC and in Tallahas- cation by appearing on Captain Kangaroo in I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing see, Florida. From 1986–1991 he served as 1982 and greeting more than 2 million visitors SOUTHCOM’s achievement. District General Manager with Florida Power & of all ages who learn about manatee care, f Light Company in West Palm Beach, Florida. conservation, eating habits, reproduction and RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISH- From 1991–1993 he served as an Area Man- physiology. MENTS OF KEVIN KUHN AND ager for Florida Power & Light Company in He reaches people world-wide on the ANDY MOTEL Brevard County, Florida and retired in 1993. ‘‘Snooty Cam,’’ an online, live webcast. From 1993–1998 he served as the Director of The beloved Manatee was declared the Public Affairs for the Canaveral Port Authority County’s official mascot by the Manatee Coun- HON. JIM GERLACH OF PENNSYLVANIA in Cape Canaveral, Florida. ty Commission on April 4, 1979. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Bill’s community service includes: past I appreciate this opportunity to recognize the President and current Board Member for BCC many contributions Snooty has made to the Monday, June 3, 2013 Foundation and Brevard Cultural Alliance; world’s knowledge of Manatee’s and encour- Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Secretary of Civilian Military Affairs Council; age my constituents to participate in Snooty’s congratulate Kevin Kuhn and Andy Motel for past Chairman of Brevard County Tourist De- 65th Birthday Bash and Wildlife Awareness their years of dedicated and distinguished velopment Council; past Chairman of Cocoa Festival on July 20. service to Charlestown Township, Chester Beach Area Chamber of Commerce; past f County, Pennsylvania. Chairman and current Executive Committee Kevin Kuhn, Charlestown Township Super- and Board Member EDC Government Rela- CONGRATULATING U.S. SOUTHERN visor and Member of the Open Space Com- tions of the Economic Development Commis- COMMAND ON THEIR 50TH ANNI- mission, and Andy Motel, Charlestown Town- sion of Florida’s Space Coast; Board of Gov- VERSARY ship Planning Commissioner and Member of ernors, Executive Committee, Florida Cham- the Open Space Commission, have each ber of Commerce; Chairman of Governmental HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Relations Committee for the Melbourne-Palm OF FLORIDA concerns of Charlestown Township’s residents Bay Chamber of Commerce; past President IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES by working to permanently preserve over 30 and member of the Space Coast Tiger Bay percent of Charlestown Township as open Monday, June 3, 2013 Club; and past Chairman of United Way. Bill space. They have each worked to maintain is also member of the following professional Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today the historic and rural character of the Town- associations: the American Hospital Associa- to congratulate U.S. Southern Command ship with diligence and unwavering leadership. tion; the Associated Industries of Florida; the (SOUTHCOM) on their 50th anniversary, and Additionally, Kevin Kuhn and Andy Motel have Florida Hospital Association; Keep Brevard to commend its exemplary service to the helped to enable Charlestown Township to ex- Beautiful; the Titusville Area Chamber of Com- United States in Central America, South Amer- pand the hiking and equestrian trail network, merce; and serves as an associate member ica, and the Caribbean. provide additional stream protection, and to with the Florida League of Cities. SOUTHCOM provides invaluable contin- slow residential growth. Bill Ellis is married to Carol, with 3 grown gency planning, operations, and security co- Kevin Kuhn and Andy Motel have been the children and 5 grandchildren. He is a 4th gen- operation to the volatile region, and has been principal leaders in open space preservation eration Floridian and was raised and educated an invaluable asset to the area. Whether it be for Charlestown Township and have spear- in the Florida school system. through deterring illegal activities such as drug headed efforts to negotiate with various enti- Bill has been an integral part of Brevard trafficking, dismantling transnational organized ties while keeping the community abreast of County for more than 50 years and for that we crime networks, or fostering alternatives to all such developments. Through their energies are grateful. Bill and Carol will be missed as criminal influence in under-governed areas. and direction, the Charlestown Township they leave Brevard and relocate further south. SOUTHCOM has consistently supported the Board of Supervisors has managed the Now, that community will be the beneficiaries region for all their security needs, and has Earned Income Tax and Open Space Fund to of their commitment to service. strengthened the regions defense capabilities. ensure all resources are invested wisely. Thank you for making the Space Coast and Recently, vital humanitarian assistance and Mr. Speaker, in honor of their years of serv- Brevard County a better place. disaster relief missions have underscored the ice and commitment to the preservation of

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