[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 133 (Tuesday, October 5, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S11958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 196--COMMENDING THE SUBMARINE FORCE OF THE UNITED 
           STATES NAVY ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORCE

  By Mr. WARNER (for himself and Mr. Dodd) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 196

       Whereas the submarine force of the United States was 
     founded with the purchase of the U.S.S. HOLLAND on April 11, 
     1900;
       Whereas in overcoming destruction resulting from the attack 
     of United States forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 
     7, 1941, and difficulties with defective torpedoes, the 
     submarine force destroyed 1,314 enemy ships in World War II 
     (weighing a cumulative 5,300,000 tons), which accounts for 55 
     percent of all enemy ships lost in World War II;
       Whereas 16,000 United States submariners served with 
     courage during World War II, and 7 United States submariners 
     were awarded Congressional Medals of Honor for their 
     distinguished gallantry in combat above and beyond the call 
     of duty;
       Whereas in achieving an impressive World War II record, the 
     submarine force suffered the highest casualty rate of any 
     combatant submarine service of the warring alliances, losing 
     375 officers and 3,131 enlisted men in 52 submarines;
       Whereas from 1948 to 1955, the submarine force, with 
     leadership provided by Admiral Hyman Rickover and others, 
     developed an industrial base in a new technology, pioneered 
     new materials, designed and built a prototype reactor, 
     established a training program, and took to sea the world's 
     first nuclear-powered submarine, the U.S.S. NAUTILUS, thus 
     providing America undersea superiority;
       Whereas subsequent to the design of the U.S.S. NAUTILUS, 
     the submarine force continued to develop and put to sea the 
     world's most advanced and capable submarines, which were 
     vital to maintaining our national security during the Cold 
     War;
       Whereas the United States Navy, with leadership provided by 
     Admiral Red Raborn, developed the world's first operational 
     ballistic missile submarine, which provided an invaluable 
     asset to our Nation's strategic nuclear deterrent capability, 
     and contributed directly to the eventual conclusion of the 
     Cold War; and
       Whereas in 1999, the submarine force provides the United 
     States Navy with the ability to operate around the world, 
     independent of outside support, from the open ocean to the 
     littorals, carrying out multimission taskings on tactical, 
     operational, and strategic levels: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,
       (a) That the Senate--
       (1) commends the past and present personnel of the 
     submarine force of the United States Navy for their technical 
     excellence, accomplishments, professionalism, and sacrifices; 
     and
       (B) congratulates those personnel for the 100 years of 
     exemplary service that they have provided the United States.
       (b) It is the sense of the Senate that, in the next 
     millennium, the submarine force of the United States Navy 
     should continue to comprise an integral part of the Navy, and 
     to carry out missions that are key to maintaining our great 
     Nation's freedom and security as the most superior submarine 
     force in the world.
 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, my colleague from the great state 
of Connecticut Senator Dodd and I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Naval Submarine Force and to submit a resolution to commemorate the 
100th anniversary of this outstanding institution.
  In the year 2000 the United States Navy Submarine Force celebrates 
its one hundredth anniversary.
  The Submarine Force began with the purchase of U.S.S. Holland on 
April 11, 1900. The past 100 years have witnessed the evolution of a 
force that mastered submersible warfare, introduced nuclear propulsion 
to create the true submarine, and for decades patrolled the deep ocean 
front line: the hottest part of an otherwise cold war.
  Beginning in World War I the Submarine Force began to support 
national interests through offensive and defensive operations in the 
Atlantic. Using lessons learned from German U-boat design, the US 
Submarine Force developed advanced diesel submarine designs during the 
inter-war years. In spite of a hesitant beginning due to Pearl Harbor 
and difficulties with defective torpedoes, the World War II submarine 
force destroyed 1,314 enemy ships (5.3 million tons), which translated 
into 55 percent of all enemy ships lost. Out of 16,000 submariners, the 
force lost 375 officers and 3,131 enlisted men in fifty-two submarines, 
the highest casualty rate of any combatant submarine service on any 
side in the conflict. Seven Congressional Medals of Honor were awarded 
to submariners during World War II for distinguished gallantry in 
combat.
  Mr. DODD. After World War II the Submarine Force began experimenting 
with high speed, sophisticated silencing techniques, sensitive sonic 
detection, and deeper diving designs. Admiral Hyman G. Rickover lead 
the effort which resulted in the world's first nuclear powered 
submarine, USS Nautilus, commissioned in 1955. The advent of nuclear 
propulsion resulted in the first true submarine, a vessel that was 
truly free to operate unrestricted below the surface of the ocean.
  Continued development of advanced submarine designs lead to the most 
capable submarine fleet in the world. The United States Navy, led by 
Admiral Red Raborn, also fielded the world's first operational 
submarine launched ballistic missile platform in the world. This force 
provided invaluable support to our national security and strategic 
nuclear deterrence. The end of the cold war has been credited in part 
to the deterrent role that the strategic ballistic submarine played in 
our nuclear triad.
  Through the 1980's and 1990's the submarine force has continued to 
contribute to all aspects of our country's national security strategy 
from Desert Storm to Yugoslavia. The sailors who have taken our 
submarines to sea over the years should be commended for their 
outstanding service and performance. Always on the cutting edge, the 
submarine force will help the Navy sustain the adaptability necessary 
to maintain our national security in and around the oceans of our 
world.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, Senator Dodd and I would like to 
congratulate the Naval Submarine Force on its 100th anniversary and on 
all the accomplishments it has achieved during that time.
  On a personal note, I wish to acknowledge the contributions of the 
Submarine Force Senior Leadership since its inception, many of whom I 
am proud to have known and worked closely with over the years. And for 
the next 100 years, may our Submarine Force run silent, run deep.

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