Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), spoke to students and faculty from the University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business Aerospace and Defense Business Institute (ADBI) at a dinner engagement April 14 during Knoxville Navy Week.

A Crossville native, Harris proudly accepted the invitation to speak during a brief stop while traveling back to PACOM in Hawaii.

"I'm proud to join you here in Knoxville during Navy Week," said Harris. "It's a great chance for the American public to see your Navy in action and to meet the Sailors who serve our nation so well. As the Blue Angels wow the crowds, it's an opportunity to remember that your Navy is deployed around the world, around the clock, ready to defend America at all times."

The Haslam College of Business launched ADBI a little over a year ago to better organize and build aerospace and defense-related research, education, and training.

"Because of the Haslam College of Business, the University of Tennessee, and other like-minded places where smart people are nurtured, I have no doubt that American industry will continue to lead from the front and address these issues with ingenuity and creativity," said Harris.

Sailors from several commands including Explosive Ordnance Mobile Unit 6, BUMED, USS Constitution, USS Tennessee, Navy Operational Support Center Knoxville and U.S Navy Band Great Lakes have been visiting schools and community organizations promoting the Navy and giving science, technology, engineering and mathematics demonstrations. Knoxville's Navy Week will continue through April 17.

The Navy Week program is designed to raise awareness about the Navy in areas across the country that traditionally do not have a naval presence, and to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects through community relations projects, speaking engagements, science, technology, engineering, mathematics demonstrations and media interviews with flag hosts and local areas Sailors.

"The University of Tennessee holds a very special place in my heart," said Harris. "I am, and always will be, a Volunteer in spirit, and Rocky Top will always be my home."