[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL FRANK ``SKIP'' BOWMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Admiral 
Skip Bowman, U.S. Navy, as he prepares to retire upon completion of 
more than 38 years of faithful service to our Nation.
  Admiral Bowman has held the position of Director, Naval Nuclear 
Propulsion Program (Naval Reactors), for the last eight years. During 
his distinguished career, he played a pivotal role in ensuring that 
nuclear-powered warships continued to meet our global commitments in 
defense of our Nation's security.
  During his career, Admiral Bowman served as the Commanding Officer of 
the nuclear-powered attack submarine, USS City of Corpus Christi, which 
completed a seven-month circumnavigation of the globe and two special 
classified missions during his command tour. Other highlights include 
tours as the commanding officer of the USS Holland, as the Director of 
Political-Military Affairs on the Joint Staff, and as the Chief of 
Naval Personnel.
  Nuclear-powered warships have safely steamed over 130 million miles, 
and operated for more than 5,600 reactor years without a reactor 
accident. The last 24 million miles and 900 reactor-years have been 
achieved under Admiral Bowman's superb leadership. He currently 
oversees 105 operational nuclear reactors.
  Admiral Bowman was a guiding force in the design and construction of 
the VIRGINIA Class submarine--our Navy's only major combatant available 
to the Fleet that was designed with the post-Cold War security 
environment in mind. These revolutionary submarines have significantly 
improved capabilities over their predecessors in acoustics, littoral 
warfare, communications, sensors, and life-cycle costs.
  Admiral Bowman also drove many aspects of the design of the Nation's 
next-generation aircraft carrier class--the first new design in over 30 
years. Owing much to his leadership, the CVN-21 propulsion plant will 
triple the electrical power available for transformational technology, 
reduce reactor compartment manning by nearly 50 percent, and increase 
ship operational availability by nearly 25 percent.
  As the Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Admiral Bowman's 
commitment to environmental stewardship and public health and safety 
helped foster the highest degree of public trust. The Naval Nuclear 
Propulsion Program continued the superb performance, safety, and 
environmental record of nuclear-powered warships that has existed for 
more than 50 years. Our nuclear-powered warships benefit from 
acceptance in foreign ports worldwide as a direct result of that 
record.
  Mr. Speaker, I know the members of this house will join me in 
commending Admiral Bowman for a career of faithful service to his 
Nation. His leadership of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, a 
highly effective, responsive, world-class organization, has contributed 
significantly to our Nation's ability to confront 21st century security 
challenges. I wish him ``Fair Winds and Following Seas'' as he 
completes his honorable and distinguished service in the U.S. Navy.

                          ____________________