[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 162 (Wednesday, November 28, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. FRED SAALFELD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 28, 2001

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that a long and 
exceptionally distinguished career in the field of science and 
technology is coming to an end. Dr. Fred Saalfeld will retire as 
Executive Director and Technical Director of the U.S. Navy's Office of 
Naval Research (ONR).
  Dr. Saalfeld has been a popular and highly respected scientist at the 
Office of Navy Research for 40 years. Dr. Saalfeld's academic career 
began at Southeast Missouri State University and concluded with a Ph.D. 
from Iowa State University, specializing in physical chemistry, 
inorganic chemistry and math. Soon after, his career at the Office of 
Navy Research began. He developed the Central Atmosphere Measuring 
System, now in service on the Navy's nuclear submarines. He was also 
instrumental in developing a new secondary ion mass spectroscopy 
technique that is widely used in molecular biology and medical 
research. After these technical successes, Dr. Saalfeld became manager 
of the Department of the Navy's Science and Technology research at ONR.
  As Executive Director and Technical Director of ONR, Dr. Saalfeld was 
responsible for the entire naval research enterprise. He oversaw the 
development of the Research Opportunities for Program Officers program, 
which affords Program Officers an opportunity to undertake ``bench 
science'' in their area of scientific specialty while simultaneously 
managing their program. He also pushed to establish the naval research 
Young Investigator Program, which identifies new university faculty 
that posses the qualities to impact our Naval Forces. Dr. Saalfeld was 
instrumental in creating ONR's diversity committee and developing the 
ONR Corporate Diversity Plan.
  Over the course of his career, he authored and co-authored more than 
500 research papers, reports and presentations. He has been recognized 
by universities, scientific societies, the Navy, Department of Defense, 
and Presidents Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Saalfeld shepherded Navy Science and Technology 
through trial and triumph for 40 years, ensuring the best was available 
for our fleet. I know the Members of the House will join me in paying 
tribute to this exceptional American and wish him all the best in his 
retirement.

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