Press Release

At Request of Cummings, Commandant Acts on Racist Incidents at Coast Guard Academy
Academy Commandant to launch criminal investigation, address student body

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, issued the following statement in response to Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen’s plans to address the U.S. Coast Guard Academy next Thursday, October 4, and to launch a criminal investigation into the discovery of two nooses. The Commandant’s actions come at the request of Congressman Cummings in response to controversy surrounding these incidents.

“I had no doubts that Admiral Allen would act immediately to address the issues of racism that have arisen at the Coast Guard Academy. I am very pleased to be accompanying him next week when he addresses the entire student body to convey the message that hateful, threatening behavior such as placing nooses among the personal effects of students and officers is both unacceptable and intolerable.

“I am confident that the Admiral will be forceful in sending this message as he discusses the importance of respect and integrity that are expected from these students who are being trained to lead the United States Coast Guard.

“Diversity and tolerance are two of the most important values that we must be instilling in these cadets, and I anticipate Admiral Allen continuing efforts to ensure that these values are a promise—not a problem.”

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