[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 105 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. JOHN E. SIRMALIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. 
John E. Sirmalis. Dr. Sirmalis recently retired from the position of 
Technical Director of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) after 45 
years of outstanding service. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree 
in Mechanical Engineering in 1956, and a Master of Science Degree in 
Mechanical Engineering in 1958, both from the Massachusetts Institute 
of Technology. In 1975, he received a Doctorate Degree in Mechanical 
Engineering from the University of Rhode Island. He has a widely 
heralded reputation as a true leader and an exceptional visionary for 
submarine and undersea warfare systems. He has also been considered the 
nation's foremost authority on undersea weapons. As the ``hands-on'' 
leader of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Dr. Sirmalis stressed the 
importance of leading the Navy into the future through innovation, 
transformation and visionary concepts. Under his leadership and 
guidance, an incredible and significant series of accomplishments were 
produced in many fields, including Sonar Technology, Combat Control 
Systems, Periscopes, and Launchers.
  As a recognized expert in management and technology, Dr. Sirmalis has 
served as a member of a number of high-level Navy panels and served as 
the Navy's undersea weapons expert for cooperative international data 
exchange programs. He played a vital role in the fielding and improving 
of the Mark 48 and the Mark 48 Advanced Capability (ADCAF torpedoes and 
other undersea vehicles. Dr. Sirmalis also implemented productivity 
enhancements, instituted an aggressive energy conservation program, and 
prioritized overhead functions to selectively reduce the cost of 
service. As a direct result of his initiatives, the Naval Undersea 
Warfare Center reduced overhead and costs while improving efficiency.
  Throughout his distinguished career Dr. Sirmalis has received 
numerous awards. In 1997, Dr. Sirmalis received the Navy Distinguished 
Civilian Service Award, the highest award that can be received by a 
member of the Federal Government's Senior Executive Service. He has 
also been the recipient of the Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank 
Award, both in 1984 and 1994. He received the 1995 VADM Charles B. 
Martell Award presented for his outstanding record achievement and 
reputation as the world's foremost authority on undersea weaponry. Most 
recently he was selected to receive the 2000 Distinguished Civilian 
Award from the Naval Submarine League.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Sirmalis has been a long serving and dedicated 
public servant and a true patriot. I am proud to recognize his long and 
distinguished career and accomplishments as Technical Director of the 
Naval Undersea Warfare Center. true naval tradition, I wish Dr. John E. 
Sirmalis ``Fair Winds and Following Seas'' as he enters into 
retirement.

                          ____________________