[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1918-E1919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL ROBERT J. NATTER, U.S. NAVY, COMMANDER, U.S. FLEET 
             FORCES COMMAND, COMMANDER, U.S. ATLANTIC FLEET

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 2003

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication, 
public service and patriotism that personified the Naval career of 
Admiral Robert J. Natter, United States Navy. Admiral Natter is 
currently serving as the Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and 
Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and he will soon retire from the Navy 
after more than 37 years of distinguished service wearing the uniform 
of our Nation.
  I have had the pleasure to know the Natter family for nearly 16 years 
and have personally worked with the Admiral on a variety of important 
issues affecting the Navy and the U.S. military, so it is with great 
pride and admiration that I honor a dear friend as he begins the next 
chapter of his life.
  I first met Bob in 1981 when he was a commander. I hired him as a 
military fellow on my staff and assigned him to work all of my 
legislative issues on the Armed Services Committee. I was impressed 
with how quickly Bob became an expert at the complicated legislative 
and budget processes. In hindsight, it is clear to me that the Navy 
afforded Commander Natter this position because they knew he was flag 
officer material, and this professional development opportunity would 
serve Bob and the Navy well. It did.
  During the years following the 1991 Tailhook Convention, the Navy was 
struggling to repair its reputation. At this critical time Rear Admiral 
Natter was assigned as Chief of Legislative Affairs. His wartime and 
operational experience gave him instant credibility. But it was Admiral 
Natter's knowledge of Washington and the Hill along with his candor, 
confidence and demeanor that helped navigate the Navy through those 
rough waters and rebuild and restore the Navy's reputation.
  A native of Trussville, Alabama, Admiral Natter grew up in a family 
of true American patriots. One of nine children, seven boys and two 
girls, all seven sons joined the military as six naval officers and one 
Air Force officer. After enlisting in the Naval Reserve, Bob Natter 
chose the Naval Academy as his commissioning source graduating in 1967. 
After a few tours at sea, he was sent to Vietnam for duty on riverboat 
patrols where he learned first hand the harsh realities of war. While 
serving as the Officer in Charge of a Naval Special Warfare detachment, 
Lieutenant Natter was seriously injured when his special operations 
team came under attack. He then earned both the Purple Heart and Silver 
Star for his heroic actions. His experiences in Vietnam instilled in 
him the true meaning of leadership, strengthened his desire to serve, 
and solidified his reputation as a strong leader and most capable 
warrior.
  Throughout his career, Admiral Natter held many positions of great 
responsibility including command of USS Chandler (DDG 996), USS 
Antietam (CG 54), and Commander of the United States Seventh Fleet. In 
June 2000, Admiral Natter assumed duties as Commander, U.S. Atlantic 
Fleet where he was

[[Page E1919]]

charged with providing fully trained, combat ready forces to support 
United States and NATO commanders in regions of conflict throughout the 
world.

  On September 11, 2001, the world changed. As America prepared to go 
to war, I for one, was pleased to know that Admiral Natter was leading 
the Atlantic Fleet's 160,000 Sailors and Marines, 162 ships and 1,200 
aircraft, as well as 18 major shore stations providing training, 
maintenance and logistics support.
  Then on October 1, 2001, Admiral Natter was assigned additional 
responsibility as the first Commander of the newly established U.S. 
Fleet Forces Command, which is responsible for manning, equipping and 
training all Atlantic and Pacific Fleet ships and aircraft squadrons. 
His strong and dynamic leadership inspired Atlantic Fleet Sailors, 
officers, and civilians to perform their best and contribute their 
utmost during a time of unprecedented military action that resulted in 
the overwhelming success in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
  Admiral Natter's was truly an amazing career that was recognized by 
numerous personal awards and decorations. In addition to the Silver 
Star and Purple Heart, Admiral Natter's personal decorations include 
three awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior 
Service Medal, five awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star 
Medal with Combat V, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the 
Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, and the Navy Achievement Medal 
with Combat V. He was also a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval 
War College, and he earned Masters Degrees in Business Management and 
International Relations. And, he was honored as the fifth recipient of 
the Naval War College's annual Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award.
  His career clearly speaks for itself. Admiral Natter personifies the 
Navy's core values: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. But, what his bio 
doesn't tell you is that through it all, Bob was, above all, a family 
man. He is a loving husband to his beautiful wife Claudia, and a 
dedicated father to his three children Kelly, Courtney and Kendall. 
Anyone that knows Bob, knows that he lives for his family and his 
children are truly the ``glimmer in Dad's eye.''
  Admiral Natter is a family man, a patriot, a hero, and a superb naval 
officer who, throughout his naval career, led with courage and 
integrity. His leadership and performance in peacetime and war were 
instrumental in the success of the Navy and outstanding support for 
naval forces throughout the world. Thanks to his inspirational 
leadership and selfless dedication to duty, our Navy has remained 
second to none.
  So, as Admiral Natter moves into retirement with Claudia, our Nation 
and Navy owe him a debt of gratitude for his superb service. I wish him 
fair winds and following seas as he concludes his distinguished career.

                          ____________________