[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   TRIBUTE TO COMMANDER WILLIAM BURKE

                                 ______


                             HON. JIM KOLBE

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 1994

  Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, it is a personal privilege for me today to 
pay tribute to a truly outstanding Naval Officer, Comdr. William R. 
Burke. Bill Burke has served with distinction as Deputy Director of the 
House of Representative's Navy Legislative Liaison Office these last 2 
years. Today I want to recognize his many achievements and commend him 
for the superb service he has provided to Members of Congress and to 
our Nation.
  A native of Hornell, NY, Commander Burke earned a bachelor of science 
degree in systems engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, 
MD. Upon graduation in 1978, he was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. 
Navy. Commander Burke then completed a rigorous nuclear propulsion 
training program and submarine officers basic course.
  Following his initial training, Commander Burke reported to his first 
ship, the U.S.S. Lafayette (SSBN 616), serving as main propulsion 
assistant and damage control assistant. While on the U.S.S. Lafayette, 
Commander Burke completed three strategic deterrent patrols. Those 
serving on ships such as the U.S.S. Lafayette played a critical role in 
maintaining a key component of the nuclear deterrence triad during the 
height of the cold war.
  Completing his tour of duty on the U.S.S. Lafayette, Commander Burke 
served on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff. There he was responsible 
for tactical development for the Director of the Attack Submarine 
Division. While stationed in Washington, DC, he also completed a 
masters of business administration degree at Marymount University.
  Commander Burke was next given an opportunity to put into practice 
his experience in submarine tactical development. As part of the 
commissioning crew of the U.S.S. Key West (SSN 722), Commander Burke 
served as weapons officer and is a plank owner of the Key West. After 
spending 2 years on the Key West, he transferred to the U.S.S. Omaha 
(SSN 692) homeported in Pearl Harbor, HI, where he served as navigator.
  Immediately prior to his tour here in the Navy's House Legislative 
Affairs Office, Commander Burke was executive officer of the U.S.S. 
Cavalla (SSN 684) also in Pearl Harbor. While on the Cavalla, he was 
awarded the Admiral Chick Cleary Award for the outstanding naval 
officer afloat presented by the U.S. Navy League. Now, at the 
Legislative Affairs Office, Commander Burke has provided members of the 
House Armed Services Committee, our professional and personal staffs, 
as well as many of you seated here today, with superior support 
regarding navy plans and programs. His work has contributed to building 
a more cooperative relationship between Congress and the Department of 
the Navy--no easy task given the difficult environment for the Navy 
these past 2 years.
  I have had an opportunity to make many visits to Navy ships and 
facilities with Bill Burke. I can honestly say I have never traveled 
with a better escort officer. Bill Burke is efficient, organized, and 
easy going. On one occasion, we arrived on the U.S.S. Nimitz while his 
luggage went elsewhere on the helicopter. Bill Burke showed great 
resourcefulness as he patched together enough of a uniform--not easy 
considering his size--to make do. But he was never bothered or upset by 
such mixups. Bill Burke is both professional and an enjoyable traveling 
companion. I shall personally miss him.
  Mr. Speaker, Bill Burke, his wife Mary, and their two children, 
Jacqueline and William, have made many sacrifices during his 17-year 
naval career. In four submarine tours of duty, he has spent a lot of 
time underway and gone from his family. He has done this, as so many 
other officers and enlisted men and women have done, to make a 
significant contribution to the outstanding naval forces upon which our 
country relies so heavily. Commander Burke is a great credit to the 
Navy whose uniform he wears and the country he so proudly serves. As he 
departs to his next tour of duty, I know my colleagues join in wishing 
him every success, or in Navy parlance, may he have fair wind, and 
following sea.

                          ____________________