[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 54 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S4373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO DR. JOHN E. SIRMALIS ON RECEIVING THE DISTINGUISHED 
                            EXECUTIVE AWARD

 Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, this morning here in Washington, 
Dr. John E. Sirmalis, Commander of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center 
(NUWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, is receiving the Distinguished 
Executive Award. Vice President Gore will take part in this ceremony.
  Having worked with John Sirmalis for many years, I can say with 
certainty that he is a most worthy recipient of this prestigious award. 
Dr. Sirmalis has served our nation and our Navy admirably during a 
distinguished career. Widely recognized as the Navy's foremost 
authority on undersea weapons systems, Dr. Sirmalis has helped bring 
about improvements in methodologies for developing and testing undersea 
warfare (USW) systems and components. In particular, John has 
implemented a program to identify submarine technology opportunities 
for the year 2010, leading the Navy to shift its focus from traditional 
antisubmarine warfare to find responses to new and more complex 
military threats.
  Dr. Sirmalis' outstanding work at NUWC/Newport has contributed to the 
evolution of a facility that is widely recognized as a center of 
excellence within the Navy and the Department of Defense (DoD). NUWC 
has consistently sustained a high level of technical productivity, as 
it has become a leader in the use of commercial-off-the-shelf 
components and open system architecture. These attributes are today 
more important than ever at a Defense Department that is greatly 
constrained by tight budgets.
  It was certainly no surprise to me that during the defense base 
realignment and closure (BRAC) process, NUWC/Newport was designated one 
of the Navy's four principal research ``mega-centers.'' I look forward 
to NUWC/Newport continuing to maintain its important contribution to 
our national security under the leadership of Dr. Sirmalis. So my 
heartiest congratulations to John Sirmalis on receiving the 
Distinguished Executive Award. All Americans are well-served by the 
outstanding performance of this genuine public servant.

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