[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATION OF THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY 
                            SUBMARINE FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. FRANK A. LoBIONDO

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 12, 2000

  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, April 11, 2000, marked the 
centennial anniversary of the United States Navy Submarine Force. To 
commemorate this unique event, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate the thousands of sailors who have gallantly served our 
nation as members of this elite group.
  April 11, 1900 ushered in the birth of this outstanding American 
Naval Force, which has proven its undeniable worth through every major 
military endeavor our country has asked the Navy to address. In World 
War II alone, the Navy Submarine Force scored the most complete victory 
of any force in any theater of war by destroying 1,314 ships between 
1939 and 1945. Out of 16,000 submariners, the force lost 375 officers 
and 3,131 enlisted men in fifty-two submarines, the lowest casualty 
rate of any combatant submarine service on any side in the conflict.
  Now capable of firing missiles from a vertical launch system, the 
Navy's Los Angeles class SSNs have proven very useful in the more 
restricted spaces of modern littoral war at sea. Submarine launched 
Tomahawks have proven extraordinarily effective in a variety of combat 
operations starting with Desert Storm.
  With a drastically reduced force, submariners still manage to conduct 
both independent tactical and strategic patrols, as well as renewed 
joint operations with carrier battle groups. Without a doubt, the 
United States Navy Submarine force continues to be one of the most 
valuable components to our nation's well-being and security.
  Thank you for your tireless effort, dedication, and contribution to 
America's continued prosperity and happy anniversary.

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