TO THE HONORABLE DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE COMMANDANT OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD:

We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, Machinery Technician Third Class Matthew E. Schlimme served in the United States Coast Guard from May 1993 until his tragic death in February 1997; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Schlimme was stationed at Cape May, New Jersey, Dubuque, Iowa, and La Push, Washington; and

WHEREAS, Coast Guard Station Quillayute River in La Push is responsible for the areas from Cape Alava to Queets River, including the treacherous inlet at the mouth of the Quillayute River; and

WHEREAS, Its boat crews are trained to conduct rescues in rough weather, and its personnel are trained to assist with emergency flood responses; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Schlimme demonstrated extraordinary heroism on February 12, 1997, while serving as a crew member aboard a Coast Guard motor lifeboat attached to Coast Guard Station Quillayute River; and

WHEREAS, Shortly before one o'clock in the morning, responding to a distress call from the sailing vessel Gale Runner, Station Quillayute River launched two rescue boats; and

WHEREAS, The operator of the sailing vessel, Gale Runner, reported that the vessel was dismasted, taking on water, and in danger of sinking two miles south of the Quillayute River entrance; and

WHEREAS, Seas of up to twenty-five feet, combined with high winds and driving rain, created a situation of imminent danger for the two people aboard the Gale Runner; and

WHEREAS, Soon after crossing the treacherous bar in an attempt to reach the stricken sailboat, the motor lifeboat suddenly rolled over several times in the surf and confused seas; and

WHEREAS, Because of the repeated roll-overs, Petty Officer Schlimme was forcibly separated from his rescue craft and thrown into the churning ocean; and

WHEREAS, A Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Port Angeles was able to hoist to safety the two people from the Gale Runner as it crashed onto rocks; and

WHEREAS, As a crew member of a Coast Guard motor lifeboat, Petty Officer Schlimme willingly entered extreme ocean storm conditions and sacrificed his life while attempting to save the lives of the two people from the Gale Runner; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Schlimme demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger in this rescue; and

WHEREAS, The President of the United States presented the Coast Guard Medal posthumously to Petty Officer Schlimme for extraordinary heroism, and for courage and devotion keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Coast Guard;

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the United States Coast Guard name a Coast Guard cutter in Petty Officer Schlimme's honor.

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each member of Congress from the State of Washington, and the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.

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