[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 146 (Monday, October 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 UNVEILING OF STAMPS HONORING THE UNITED STATES SUBMARINE FORCE ON ITS 
                           100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 25, 1999

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate members of 
the United States Submarine Force as the U.S. Postal Service unveils a 
series of stamps which pay tribute to the Force for ``A Century of 
Service to America.'' Earlier today, I was privileged to join the 
Postal Service, the U.S. Navy and veterans from across eastern 
Connecticut in introducing these stamps, which commemorate the 
Centennial of the Submarine Force. In this series, we can witness the 
stunning progress we have made from the Navy's first submarine--the 
U.S.S. Holland--to the Ohio and Los Angeles Class submarines of the 
late Twentieth century. However, these stamps honor much more than 
technological prowess. They remind us of the selfless service of tens 
of thousands of veterans who patrolled the depths of the world's oceans 
guaranteeing victory over tyranny and security for all Americans.
  ``A Century of Service to America'' is a fitting theme for the 
Submarine Force. ``A Century'' recognizes the magnitude of the 
anniversary. Nearly a century ago, the Navy took ownership of its first 
submarine, the U.S.S. Holland. Since then, 648 submarines have entered 
the force--nearly half of which have been build in Groton, Connecticut, 
also known as the ``Submarine Capital of the World.'' Our submarines 
have become technological marvels, the crown jewels of our nation's 
fleet. Consider how far we've come: the mighty Ohio class submarines 
are nearly as wide as the Holland was long! Today, our best and 
brightest are working to get the next generations of submarines, the 
Seawolf and Virginia Class subs, into the fleet. These will be the 
quietest and the most advanced submarines ever launched giving their 
crews an almost limitless range of new capabilities.
  ``Service'' is a tribute to our submariners who risked their lives, 
everyone who supported their efforts, and the men and women who 
designed and built five generations of submarines. Over the past one 
hundred years, 400,000 men and women have either served aboard 
submarines or provided mission support. Over 3,500 veterans of the 
Submarine Force have made the supreme sacrifice for their country. 
Veterans of the Submarine Force during World War II paid the highest 
price in lives lost. Admiral Chester A. Nimitz, a submariner himself 
before he led the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during the Second World War, 
said: ``It is to the everlasting honor and glory of our submarine 
personnel that they never failed us in our days of great peril.''
  In southeastern Connecticut, we also know that the men and women of 
Electric Boat serve their country. They design and build some of the 
most sophisticated machines the world has ever known. Members of the 
Submarine Force have been so successful in safeguarding our nation in 
part because of the craftsmanship and hard work of generations of EB 
employees.
  Finally, we focus on what the Submarine Force means to America. It 
turned the tide in the Pacific during the Second World War accounting 
for fifty five percent of all enemy shipping destroyed while comprising 
only two percent of all Naval forces. During the Cold War, the ``Forty-
One for Freedom'' Polaris/Poseidon and succeeding Trident submarines 
ensured that our nation would never be the target of nuclear 
aggression. Daring intelligence missions provided a clear picture of 
the capabilities and the goals of the Soviets and other nations which 
threatened our national interests. As Secretary of Defense Cohen said 
in urging the Postal Service to honor this anniversary, ``the peaceful 
end to 45 years of confrontation is the modern legacy of the Submarine 
Force.''
  Mr. Speaker, America owes a great debt to the members of the 
Submarine Force--past and present. A series of stamps is a small 
gesture of a thankful nation to honor their service, their sacrifice, 
and their role in guaranteeing that successive generations of Americans 
have been able to enjoy the freedoms that make this country the 
greatest nation on earth.

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