ALCOAST 176/19 - MAY 2019 2019 SOCIETY OF AMERICAN INDIAN GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE (SAIGE) MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD WINNER

R 221115 MAY 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00H//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01650//
ALCOAST 176/19
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ:  2019 SOCIETY OF AMERICAN INDIAN GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE (SAIGE) MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD WINNER
1. I am honored to announce and congratulate Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Matthew M.
Hobbie, Chief of Contingency Planning and Force Readiness, Sector Anchorage, Alaska,
as the Coast Guard recipient of the 2019 Society of American Indian Government
Employee (SAIGE) Military Meritorious Service Award. This award honors military
members and civilian employees who have supported the Service's missions and
significantly demonstrated support for inclusion and promotion of government
personnel, to include American Indians through government programs and/or community
outreach.
2. LCDR Hobbie is being recognized for his direct oversight and improvement of
oil spill response plans and procedures specific to Sector Anchorage's Area of
Responsibility (AOR), one of the largest in the United States. His efforts have
been vital to the creation of the first Area Contingency Plan for the State of
Alaska, which significantly increased the capabilities of responders, and the
protection of the pristine environment. Specifically, he worked with over two
hundred federally-recognized native tribes in the Sector Anchorage AOR, collecting
their concerns about oil pollution response activities. He also contributed
hundreds of hours educating and teaching native subsistence whale and walrus
hunters about the fundamentals of ice rescue. These highly regarded actions, have
strengthened the bonds of friendship and partnership between Alaska Native
peoples and the Coast Guard.
3. I commend LCDR Hobbie for his outstanding leadership, achievements, and
exemplary service. He will be officially recognized and honored at the SAIGE
award ceremony during the 16th Annual SAIGE National Training Program, on 13 June
2019 in Niagara Falls, NY.
4. Civil Rights awards programs help maximize the Coast Guard's overall mission
effectiveness through recognition of members' accomplishments and contributions
to civil rights and equal opportunity in minority communities, and Partnership in
Education (PIE) programs. Learn more about the USCG civil rights vision, mission,
awards programs and CG PIE at: https://www.uscg.mil/Resources/Civil-Rights/.
5. Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Director, Civil Rights Directorate, sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.