[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 34 (Thursday, February 23, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                             [[Page E413]]

              200TH BIRTHDAY OF THE U.S. NAVY SUPPLY CORPS

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                           HON. FLOYD SPENCE

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 23, 1995
  Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the more than 
5,000 men and women of the U.S. Navy Supply Corps, active and reserve, 
who on February 23, 1995 will celebrate its 200th birthday of 
distinguished service to our Nation and Navy. The naval officers who 
proudly wear the Supply Corps oak leaf are the business managers of the 
Navy and are responsible for the logistics support of operating forces 
in the fleet and naval shore installations worldwide.
  The Supply Corps has come a long way since its birth in 1795, when 
Tench Francis, of Philadelphia, became the first Purveyor of Public 
Supplies. The original charter of the Supply Corps has distinguished 
itself throughout its long history by ensuring that the United States 
has been ready to defend American freedom and interests in every 
conflict since the War of 1812. Its responsibilities have grown 
tremendously and have kept pace with the challenge of providing 
logistics support to a modern, high-technology Navy, which has grown in 
size and complexity. Today, the Navy Supply Corps employs the latest 
technologies and management skills to supply our Navy at the lowest 
possible cost and with the greatest efficiency.
  Having progressed from supplying wooden frigates with cannon balls to 
equipping AEGIS destroyers with Tomahawk cruise missiles, the U.S. Navy 
Supply Corps continues to carry out its vital mission to keep our Navy 
well equipped and ready to respond at a moment's notice. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating the officers of the U.S. Navy 
Supply Corps on its 200th birthday.


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