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“HONORING REAR ADMIRAL CHARLES C. CURTZE” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E250 on Feb. 27, 2008.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING REAR ADMIRAL CHARLES C. CURTZE
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HON. PHIL ENGLISH
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Rear Admiral Charles Curtze. Born and raised in Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District, Admiral Curtze brought his dedication to service and caring personality to the Erie community.
A 1933 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Admiral Curtze excelled in gymnastics and led the midshipmen to the league championship. He qualified for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany, but due to his position in the U.S. Navy and growing security concerns regarding Adolf Hitler, the State Department prohibited his attendance. After graduating from the Naval Academy, Admiral Curtze earned a master's degree in naval construction from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
One of the most extraordinary accomplishments of his career was his role in saving the only major ship to survive the attack on Pearl Harbor. By guiding the USS St. Louis to safety, the ship was able to successfully put out to sea and became the stalwart of the new Pacific fleet during World War II.
During the infancy of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Admiral Curtze served as the engineering member of the first U.S. team in London. He later became commander of the San Francisco Naval Shipyard and ultimately deputy chief of the Bureau of Ships in Washington, DC before retiring as a rear admiral in 1965 and returning to Erie.
His passion for sailing began at the early age of 14 when he bought his first sailboat, joined the Erie Yacht Club and began racing. After retiring from his military career, he used his naval architecture skills to design and commission his own yacht, Thule, in 1970 which he sailed until his 90th year.
Admiral Curtze was known as a very generous individual who contributed to several local causes, most notably the Asbury Woods Project. He was an 80-year member of the Erie Yacht Club and a life member of the Erie Historical Society.
The life of Charles Curtze serves as a role model for us all to follow. He embodied the word service in its finest sense through his kindness, hard work and generosity and will greatly be missed by all.
I hope my colleagues will join me in commemorating the life of Charles Curtze.
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