R 281630Z SEP 07 ZUI ASN-A00271000010
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALLHANDS
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UNCLAS //N01000//
SUBJ:  WHERE I STAND
1.  TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE COAST GUARD: MANY OF YOU ARE AWARE
OF TWO RECENT RACIAL INCIDENTS AT THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY, THE
FIRST IN WHICH A NOOSE WAS DISCOVERED IN THE PERSONAL BELONGINGS OF
A CADET ABOARD EAGLE.  A FEW WEEKS LATER, A SECOND ONE WAS FOUND IN
THE ACADEMY ASSISTANT CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICER'S OFFICE.
2.  THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER.  THE COAST GUARD INVESTIGATIVE
SERVICE HAS LAUNCHED A FULL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION TO HELP IDENTIFY
ANYONE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE, SO THAT THEY MAY BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE.  THIS TYPE OF RACIST CONDUCT, LIKE OTHER FORMS OF
DISCRIMINATION, RUNS COUNTER TO OUR CORE VALUES AND WILL NOT BE
TOLERATED.  NOR WILL IT EVER GO UNCHALLENGED.
3.  THE COAST GUARD'S MISSION IS TO BE A LIFESAVER AND GUARDIAN.
WE HELP PEOPLE WHEN THEY NEED US MOST, AND WE PROTECT AND DEFEND
THE CONSTITUTION.  IT IS INCONCEIVABLE TO ME TO IGNORE THAT WHEN IT
COMES TO OUR OWN PEOPLE.  IT IS CONTRARY TO OUR ORGANIZATIONAL
ETHOS, CORE VALUES, AND WHAT THE PUBLIC EXPECTS FROM US.  I WILL
NOT TOLERATE IT, AND YOU SHOULD NOT TOLERATE IT.
4.  I WILL BE MEETING WITH ACADEMY CADETS, FACULTY AND STAFF NEXT
WEEK TO REITERATE MY PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO THE RESPECTFUL
TREATMENT OF ALL.  I'M PLEASED THAT CONGRESSMAN ELIJAH CUMMINGS,
CHAIRMAN OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON COAST GUARD AND MARITIME
TRANSPORTATION, WILL ACCOMPANY MY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL RIGHTS, MS.
TERRI DICKERSON, AND ME TO THE ACADEMY.
5.  A PELORUS (PUBLIC AFFAIRS FACT SHEET) CONTAINING ADDITIONAL
DETAILS ON THE INCIDENTS AND ACTIONS TAKEN IS POSTED IN THE
COMMANDANT'S CORNER OF CG CENTRAL HTTP://CGCENTRAL.USCG.MIL/
6.  ADMIRAL THAD ALLEN SENDS.
7.  INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
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