[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E681]]


           RECOGNIZING CHIEF QUARTERMASTER WILLIAM P. SHATRAW

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT A. WEYGAND

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 9, 2000

  Mr. WEYGAND. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a truly outstanding Chief 
Petty Officer in our great Navy. Chief Quartermaster (Submarines) 
William P. Shatraw completes more than twenty years of service to our 
nation and transfers from our newest and most capable attack submarine, 
U.S.S. Connecticut (SSN 22) to the Fleet Reserve of the United States 
Navy. A ceremony is being held on Friday in his honor at the Historic 
Ship Nautilus in Groton, Connecticut. It is a pleasure for me to 
recognize just a few of his outstanding achievements.
  A native of Albany, New York, he enlisted in the United States Navy 
after receiving his high school diploma from Christian Brothers Academy 
in Albany. Following recruit training in Orlando, Florida, he attended 
a series of schools to prepare him for his first assignment, in the 
Navigation department aboard U.S.S. George Washington Carver (SSBN 656) 
(Gold). Chief Shatraw completed five patrols aboard Carver.
  Leaving the Carver in May 1985 he reported to the Naval Submarine 
School in Groton, Connecticut where he taught others the art of 
navigating the world's oceans.
  In February 1989, he returned to sea aboard U.S.S. Providence (SSN 
719) where he completed four deployments that were vital to national 
security. After a promotion to Chief Petty Officer in 1991, he was 
transferred to the attack submarine U.S.S. Gato (SSN 615) where he 
served as the Assistant Navigator until March 1994.
  In April 1994 he reported to the Staff of the Commander Submarine 
Development Squadron Twelve in Groton, Connecticut, for duty as 
Assistant Operations Officer. During this assignment he provided 
assistance to assigned submarines in their preparation for extended 
deployments and he coordinated exercises and operating area management.
  Chief Shatraw was selected as a member of the pre-commissioning crew 
for U.S.S. Connecticut (SSN 22), reporting for duty in April 1997. He 
organized and trained an inexperienced Navigation division, molding 
them into one of the finest teams in the Atlantic Fleet.
  Even as Chief Shatraw enjoys his well-earned retirement in Hope 
Valley, Rhode Island, the Navy will continue to benefit from his 
service. He has left behind a legacy of excellence in the dozens of 
young submariners he has personally trained. They will continue to 
patrol the ocean depths ready to project power from under the sea.
  Mr. Speaker, during Bill Shatraw's twenty year naval career, he and 
his family have made many sacrifices for this Nation. I would like to 
thank them all--Bill, his lovely wife Sharon, and their two children, 
Kendra and Billy--for their contributions to the Navy and to our 
nation.
  As Chief Shatraw departs the Navy for new challenges ahead, I call 
upon my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to wish him every 
success, as well as fair winds and following seas.

                          ____________________