Resolution 222-2003
Commissioner Charles McCoy
RESOLUTION NO. 222 - 2003
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA COMMENDING CAPTAIN LAWRENCE S.
COTTON, JR., UNITED STATES NAVY, FOR HIS TENURE AND TOUR OF
DUTY IN THE FLORIDA KEYS.
WHEREAS, the military is a vital segment of the population and a critical factor to the
economic welfare and safety of the Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, under the tenure and leadership of Captain Lawrence S. Cotton, Jr.,
United States Navy, the Florida Keys have enjoyed a great sense of community union and
economic success with the United States Navy; and
WHEREAS, in a service wide re-aligning process, Key West Naval Air Station was
relegated to a Naval Air Facility. With Captain Cotton's understanding of the significance of
his expanding mission, he was able to convince the Pentagon and those in charge that this
command was, in fact, a Naval Air Station; and
WHEREAS, no accomplishment better exemplifies the sense of community fostered
by Captain Cotton than the inter-government mutual aid response of the Naval fire units
the morning of August 30, 2001 when a labyrinthine commune composed of a number of
dwellings located on the southeast side of Rockland Key, lacking any defined order of
ingress or egress, became engulfed in flames creating a maze of confusing passages and
smoke, placing the inhabitants in great danger; and
WHEREAS, the NAS fire units responded and repeatedly rotated with other County
Fire/EMS personnel, all suffering from heat and smoke inhalation, in what could be viewed
as a worst nightmare, to ensure the protection and safety of the inhabitants and firefighters
on scene; and
WHEREAS, this sense of community has inspired and realized many monumental
accomplishments to benefit the Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, during Captain Cotton's administration, in 2002 alone, the Florida Keys
received the substantial economic benefit of approximately $370 million; and
WHEREAS, other significant benefits and accomplishments have been realized during
Captain Cotton's tenure and leadership, such as:
. Signed Truman Harbor Lease with the City of Key West for cruise ship berthing.
. First Federal Marina in the Country to receive the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection "Clean Marina" Award 2001 and 2002 for Boca Chica Marina, Naval Air
Facility, Key West.
· 2002 Chief of Naval Operations Pollution Prevention Team Award.
. Geiger Key Boat Ramp officially open for public use based on verbal agreement with
Monroe County to add it to their license.
· Mutual agreement with local law enforcement and fire departments to assist in
emergencies and provide various training otherwise only available on the mainland.
.
Hosted 2000 International Peace Talks with Colin Powell and ambassadors.
Entered into Memorandum of Agreement between Monroe County School District and
NAS to ease student transition for military children.
Instrumental in effective and positive efforts toward the maintenance and transfer of
military properties to benefit all residents of the Florida Keys such as the Truman Annex
Property and Poinciana Housing properties.
Hosted critical series of Homeland Defense Radar Tests using radar to detect chemical-
biological agents.
Hosted NASA Crystall-Face, a NASA field study based at Naval Air Station, Key West, FL
conducting lightning research as part of the Altus Cumulus Electrification Study, AGILE
ARCHER 2002 using a remotely piloted aerial vehicle never before used to study
lightning; and
.
.
.
.
WHEREAS, Captain Cotton's leadership and commitment to providing for retired
military residents and fostering a positive relationship with the community resulted in
quality medical services for military residents at the local Naval Medical Facility and,
additionally, a variety of services available to both military and civilian personnel through
the efforts of a very active and reputable Morale, Welfare and Recreation Program; and
WHEREAS, we locals have been able to detect only one flaw in this exemplary Naval
Officer which is his weakness for "Pepper Vodka Oyster Shooters" and consequently, he is
henceforth and forever "one of us"; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of this Commission to publicly recognize and acknowledge
the effective leadership, accomplishments and inspiration Captain Lawrence S. Cotton, Jr.,
has provided to the Florida Keys during his tenure with us; now, therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA THAT:
CAPTAIN LAWRENCE S. COTTON, JR. is hereby officially commended for his
exemplary leadership and administration of the United States Naval Air Station in Monroe
County, Florida during his tenure with a farewell that includes the sincere appreciation of
the residents of the Florida Keys and a history of accomplishments that will forever include
Captain Lawrence S. Cotton, Jr., United States Navy.
Mayor Spehar
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PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe C~m9', F~ida,~
a regular meeting of said Board held on the 18th day of June, 2003. ~:J :':: '- ,."
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
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