TRANSCRIPT: Ocasio-Cortez Delivers Floor Speech Honoring Rear Admiral Michael A. Alfultis
REPRESENTATIVE ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rear Admiral and SUNY Maritime College President Michael A. Alfultis for his years of service and to celebrate his retirement.
President Alfultis served for 28 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, eventually rising from Captain to Rear Admiral. After retiring from service, Admiral Alfultis began teaching at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and then went on to become Director and Chief Administrative Officer at the University of Connecticut. His consecutive years of academic and professional leadership culminated in his tenure as the 11th President of SUNY Maritime College.
President Alfultis' leadership has transformed SUNY Maritime College and shaped the future of the maritime workforce. His tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including a $100M investment in institutional organizations such as the Institute for Community Resiliency and Climate Adaptation and the establishment of the Center for Excellence for Offshore Energy. I was proud to have supported the Center for Excellence for Offshore Energy with an $800,000 appropriation to support its curriculum development.
As his time as President of SUNY Maritime College ends later this month, I would like to thank President Alfultis personally and on behalf of our district for his years of service to our country, academic institutions, and community. We wish you fair winds and following Seas.
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