[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 151 (Monday, November 5, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11434-S11435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. FRED SAALFELD

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I would like to recognize the professional 
dedication, vision and public service of Dr. Fred Saalfeld who is 
retiring from the Senior Executive Service, SES, where he serves as 
Executive Director and Technical Director of the U.S. Navy Office of 
Naval Research, ONR. It is a privilege for me to recognize the many 
outstanding achievements he has provided the Office of Naval Research, 
the Navy, and our great Nation.
  In times of adversity and challenge, America has always been blessed 
with men and women who have stepped forward to fight our battles and 
serve our country. Dr. Fred Saalfeld is such a man, much like those 
Founding Fathers who were patriot scientists and dedicated public 
servants. I wish we had more like him.
  The foundation of his professional career was laid at Southeast 
Missouri State University where he earned a B.S. degree cum laude with 
majors in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics in 1957 and was a standout 
intercollegiate basketball player as well. Fred Saalfeld matriculated 
to Iowa State University, where he earned his M.S. in 1959 and Ph.D. in 
1961, majoring in Physical Chemistry, with minors in Inorganic 
Chemistry and Mathematics.
  Dr. Saalfeld joined the Naval Research Laboratory, NRL, in 1962, 
where he conducted and directed research in physical chemistry. From 
1963 to 1976, he headed the Mass Spectrometry Section and later, the 
Physical Chemistry Branch. His research led to innovations in 
atmospheric monitoring and life support now widely used in nuclear 
submarines, firefighting gear, spacecraft and other equipment using 
recirculated air. In 1976, he was selected as Superintendent of the NRL 
Chemistry Division, where he directed programs involving approximately 
250 chemists and a $16 million budget. Dr. Saalfeld was selected as 
Chief Scientist and Scientific Director at the ONR Branch Office in 
London for the period 1979 to 1980. He returned to NRL from this 
special assignment. By 1982, he was Associate Director of Research for 
Material Sciences and Component Technology, involving over 600 
scientists and a $90 million budget.
  Dr. Saalfeld was appointed Director of ONR's Research Department in 
1982 and Associate Director of ONR in 1985. He was responsible for the 
Navy's $220 million contract research program mostly aimed at basic 
research in American universities. From 1987 until 1993, Dr. Saalfeld 
was Director of ONR, responsible for the Navy's basic research and NRL. 
In 1993, he was appointed Technical Director of ONR and Deputy Chief of 
Naval Research. The title changed to Executive Director and Technical 
Director in 1998. As such, Dr. Saalfeld became responsible for the Navy 
and Marine Corps science and technology program. In effect, Dr. 
Saalfeld was the Chief Operating Officer of the Office of Naval 
Research, a ``Department of Navy Corporation,'' including a budget of 
nearly $2 billion and oversight of three international offices and the 
renowned national laboratory, the Naval Research Laboratory.
  Dr. Saalfeld became a charter member of the Senior Executive Service, 
SES, under President Carter. President Reagan named him to the 
Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank in 1986, named to the 
Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank by President Bush in 1989, 
and Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank for a second time by 
President Clinton in 1996.
  Dr. Saalfeld has been awarded Department of the Navy Meritorious, 
Superior and Distinguished Civilian Service Awards, and the Department 
of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award. In addition, Dr. 
Saalfeld has been recognized with the Captain Robert Dexter Conrad 
Award, the Navy's highest award for scientific achievement. He has won 
the Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Merit Award in 1988, 
been recognized by Washington Technology as one of the area's top 
technologists in 1989, and selected by the Federal Executive Institute 
as Federal Executive of the Year in 1991.
  During his long and exemplary career, Dr. Saalfeld authored and co-
authored more than 500 research papers, reports and presentations. He 
is active in scientific societies, including the Society for Applied 
Spectroscopy, the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, and the 
American Chemical Society. He is a fellow of the American Association 
for the Advancement of Science, served as Secretary of the American 
Society for Mass Spectrometry, and served as President of the Chemical 
Society of Washington.
  I could go on and on about the contributions made by Dr. Saalfeld 
throughout his long and distinguished career. There are almost too many 
to recount. I have in mind not only his professional, technical and 
scientific attainments and achievements, but also the courage with 
which he faces personal challenges, and the easy grace with which he 
wins friends. For Dr. Fred Saalfeld considers the entire community of 
military personnel, civilian employees and contractors who serve

[[Page S11435]]

at ONR headquarters, at the NRL, and ONR offices and facilities 
throughout the world to be his family. He supported their research, 
provided opportunities to exercise initiative in diverse scientific 
fields, and championed their achievements. But most importantly, he has 
been friend, counselor, and mentor to many hundreds of people in the 
Navy and scientific communities.
  Dr. Saalfeld's most lasting legacy may not be his own discoveries, 
and may not even those that took place under his direction and 
supervision, although that record would be a great legacy for any 
person. His most lasting legacy may be achievements in science and 
technology that take place in the future, realized by scientists 
encouraged to serve the Navy and their country by following the example 
of Dr. Fred Saalfeld. Dr. Saalfeld has spent four decades ensuring our 
nation and its naval forces have been equipped with technological 
supremacy to ensure victory over America's enemies. As America enters 
the 21st Century and faces new and unsettling changes, the scientific 
discoveries and technological achievements Dr. Saalfeld has nurtured 
will continue to ensure our strength and freedom.
  There are many impressive scientists and leaders in technological 
innovation in America. It is a feature that keeps America a global 
leader and a prosperous, secure society. There are few who have 
dedicated their lives to ensuring that we make necessary investments to 
guarantee future leadership. Fred Saalfeld is one who has exhibited 
this dedication. In the university and federal research community, Dr. 
Saalfeld is a living legend and the ``soul of federal research 
investment.''
  We in the Senate wish Dr. Saalfeld all the best in his future 
endeavors, with fair winds and following seas as he sets off to address 
new challenges and makes even more contributions to this land of 
liberty. May God continue to bless Fred Saalfeld, his loving wife Liz, 
and the United States of America.

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