United States Merchant Marine Academy - Midships Yearbook (Kings Point, NY)

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Transportation Secretary It is a pleasure to congratulate the Class of 1991 of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. You join a distinguished group of Kings Point alumni, superbly qualified to serve as officers in our merchant marine and armed services, or pursue managerial careers in the American maritime community. During your tenure at Kings Point, you were provided with a carefully balanced program of academic instruction, military training and sea experience which honed your individual talents and capabilities. The contributions of the American merchant marine, including Kings Point undergraduates and alumni, to the victory of the coalition forces in the Persian Gulf deserve our nation's gratitude. You already are a part of America's proud maritime heritage, and I know that you will continue the spirit of comradeship, loyalty and dedication as you work toward fulfilling your goals and aspirations. Samuel Skinner 6

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Vice President J. Danforth Quayle Washington, DC Vice President ★ ★ % ★ ★ Members of the United States Merchant Marine Class of 1991: For the past four years, the Merchant Marine Academy has taught you your stuff, sharpened your leadership skills, and helped shape your character. These are skills and values important in fulfilling your responsibility as future leaders protecting this nation's economic and security needs. You are now part of the Merchant Marine Academy's rich heritage, and you have every right to be proud of your accomplishment and confident in your future. The education you have received and the friendships you have formed will last a lifetime. Now the long years of preparation are over; your career is just beginning. Yours will be a career with many challenges requiring sacrifice and a high standard of dedication few are willing to give. On behalf of a grateful nation, let me be the first to extend America's appreciation for choosing a career which will contribute to our standard of living and protect our most cherished values: freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. During world conflict, the Merchant Marine Academy has met our country's needs by providing leaders at sea. Today, its graduates contribute significantly to the world's efforts in the Middle East to secure peace and stability. The post-cold war world is uncertain, and we will continue to need your contributions to make it a fitting place for all free people to live in peace. Good luck, and God bless you.

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Maritime Administrator Warren G. Leback Maritime Administrator Washington, DC It is a pleasure for me to congratulate the Class of 1991 of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on your graduation. As an alumnus of Kings Point, I am aware of the intensive curricula and the unique combination of classroom instruction and at-sea experience you have successfully completed. During your four years at the academy, you became keenly aware of how political developments affect international trade and the importance of sealift to executing this country's forward defense strategy. The Persian Gulf crisis, once again, has brought attention to the importance of the American merchant marine and merchant mariners to our Nation's economy and military strength. This conflict clearly confirmed that adequate and reliable sealift capacity is indispensable to projecting our military might to distant shores. In the spirit of patriotism that America has come to expect from merchant mariners, more than 1,400 seafarers and 165 Kings Point midshipmen crewed vessels needed for Operations Desert Shield Storm, proudly serving and upholding the traditions of duty, honor, country. In pursuing your aspirations and meeting your challenges, you must ultimately earn your success and achievements through hard work, competence and perseverance. All of us have faced that challenge. With the training you received at Kings Point, I am confident that you will succeed in meeting the challenge. I wish you well as you embark an your chosen careers CAPTAIN WARREN G. LEBACK Maritime Administrator Class of 1944