[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 108 (Thursday, August 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7891-S7892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DAVE GERZINA

 Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise to say thank you to a patriot 
and a technical expert, Dave Gerzina, who is retiring from civilian 
service to the Navy on August 3, 2002.
  Dave was born in Youngstown, OH and was raised in the Miami, FL area 
from the age of eight. He attended Florida Atlantic University and 
received a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. In 1970, Dave 
began working for the Navy at the David Taylor Model Basin in Bethesda, 
MD and has worked continuously for the Navy at three different 
locations over the past 32 years.
  Dave's first assignment was working for the Hydro-Mechanics Division 
in analyzing maneuvering and seakeeping of naval vessels. He worked 
there for over 5 years when he transferred to the System Development 
Division in Panama City, FL.
  While in Panama City, Dave served extensively in the development and 
testing of the Landing Craft Air Cushioned vehicle, LCAC. He provided 
in-valuable engineering and technical expertise for the duration of the 
development program, seeing it to a successful completion during his 
eight-year stint at the facility.
  Dave transferred to the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Acoustic 
Research Detachment at Bayview, Idaho in January 1984. He has worked 
for the Acoustics Department in numerous roles during his 18 continuous 
years of service at this facility.
  Dave initially held the title of Technical Operations Manager, and 
oversaw all testing and operations performed at the ARD. He was later 
promoted to the Buoyant Vehicle Operations Manager, where he managed 
the development and testing of many flow-noise features for Los Angeles 
Class submarine sonar self-noise improvements. In addition, he re-
designed and improved the Detachment's test ranges, and conducted 
operations in support of the very successful Seawolf Class self-noise 
program.
  He was also instrumental in developing the capability to perform 
full-scale Towed Array testing in Idaho, which saved months and 
thousands of dollars over at sea testing, culminating in the 
procurement of a Navy research vessel.
  Dave achieved his greatest career success during the 1988-1995 period 
when he was responsible for overseeing the installation of the Navy's 
unique, world class Intermediate Scale Measurement System (ISMS) at 
Lake Pend Oreille. As Project Manager he was responsible for obtaining 
environmental approval to develop the system, interfacing with the 
numerous organizations, engineers, scientists and contractors to plan 
and then install the intricate system and associated facilities, and 
finally, the testing to characterize and verify the site. Since 
completion of the installation in 1995, Dave has assumed the role of 
Test Program Manager and has been responsible for the conduct of 
numerous successful ISMS tests as well as the responsibility of 
maintaining the system.
  Dave has improved the ISMS Program's capabilities and reputation into 
the Navy's premier test site for performing structural, target strength 
and radiated testing of large-scale submarine models. The underwater 
range portion has been referred to as the most complex underwater 
structure in the world.

[[Page S7892]]

  Dave and his wife of 32 years, Robin, have three adult children and 
two beloved Dalmations. Dave has been an accomplished bass fisherman 
and elk hunter since his youth, competing in numerous tournaments. He 
is also an accomplished sailor and plans to take several ocean trips in 
a Catamaran after retirement. He hopes to apply his carpentry skills to 
finish and sell his current house, then settle down in Florida for the 
winters and spring, returning each year to a small cabin in Idaho for 
the summers and autumns. Finally, Dave is seriously considering 
obtaining a law degree in his future spare time.
  Dave Gerzina has been a significant contributor to our nation's 
research capabilities, as well as numerous performance improvements to 
quieting operational and future vessels and submarines. I want to wish 
Dave and Robin good luck, fair winds and following seas in their next 
endeavors.

                          ____________________