[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 69 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE MANITOWOC WORLD WAR II SUBMARINE EFFORT

 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, recently, the distinguished 
Senior Senator from Wisconsin [Mr. Kohl] and I, along with our 
colleague from the House of Representatives, Representative Thomas 
Petri, wrote to the Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable John H. 
Dalton, indicating our strong support for the proposal to name the 
third Seawolf class submarine the Manitowoc, recognizing the unique 
contribution by the city of Manitowoc, WI, to the development of U.S. 
submarine superiority in World War II.
  The Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co. produced 28 submarines during World 
War II--roughly ten percent of America's submarine fleet during that 
war. The 25 Manitowoc-built submarines in the Pacific theater sank 132 
enemy ships.
  Prior to World War II, the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co. had never 
produced submarines. As America entered the war, and the Nation 
committed its resources and energies to the effort, this shipbuilding 
company took on the task of retooling, retraining its employees, and 
restructuring its facilities to produce high-quality submarines at a 
wartime pace. They completed production of the submarines 19 months 
ahead of schedule and $1.8 million under budget. In all, some 7,000 
people were employed at the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co. at the height of 
World War II production, many working numerous nonstop shifts. Many 
also came from other cities and towns and the Manitowoc community 
opened up its arms to support these workers, giving them a home-away 
from home, which helped to maintain the morale of these essential 
workers in the war effort.
  I am pleased to note that the Wisconsin State Senate has just passed 
a measure urging the Navy to name the new submarine the Manitowoc. 
Naming the new sub the Manitowoc would honor those who served on the 
Manitowoc-built subs, those individuals who worked 24 hours a day to 
build them, and the city which extended its support to the Herculean 
production effort. It would be a fitting tribute.




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