Lightening strike victim credits God with survival
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July 23, 2013U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., received the U.S. Coast Guard’s top honor Thursday for her leadership in Congress.
The Commodore Ellsworth P. Bertholf Award, named for the military branch’s first commandant, is given each year to a congressional member who demonstrates long-term vision and leadership, while contributing to support guardsmen charged with search-and-rescue, port security, oil spill response, law enforcement and drug interdiction.
Landrieu was recognized for her work as chair of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.
Admiral Robert J. Papp Jr. presented the award to Landrieu, acknowledging her efforts to modernize the branch’s aging fleet of cutters, boats and aircraft.
“The Coast Guard is beloved in Louisiana,” the congresswoman said in a release. “It’s in our blood; it’s in our DNA.
“During Katrina, when Louisiana was underwater, the Coast Guard saved the lives of more than 30,000 people and supported us through this tragedy. I know, like Bertholf knew, that the country needs the Coast Guard to be at its very best every day.”
