[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 191 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO JOHN FISHELL FOR 35 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE UNITED 
                              STATES NAVY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2007

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
an individual whose dedication and contributions to his community, the 
United States Navy and our country has been exceptional. The Naval 
Surface Warfare Center located in Corona, California has been fortunate 
to have dynamic and dedicated leaders and John Fishell is one of these 
individuals. I am sorry that I will not be able to attend his 
retirement ceremony which will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2007.
  John began his career at Corona in 1972 as a Missile Flight Analyst, 
soon after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical 
Engineering from the University of Texas, El Paso. His early career 
involved traveling the globe analyzing missile tests for the Navy. John 
was the on-board missile analyst for the first 22 missile tests on the 
USS Norton Sound (AVM-1), the development test ship for today's state-
of-the-art Aegis combat system. Thirty-five years later, this missile 
system is America's mainstay defense system on the Fleet of Aegis 
Destroyers and Cruisers. In addition to being a missile flight analyst, 
various groups that John led early in his career developed several of 
the foundational databases and analysis software the Navy uses to 
assess its combat and weapon systems today.
  As Associate Head of the Measurement Science Directorate in 1993, 
John was appointed to coordinate all 1995 Base Re-alignment and Closure 
(BRAC) efforts at Corona. From 1993-1995, he led the team that made the 
case for Corona's military value to the Navy. John and his team were 
successful in articulating Corona's military value and why its function 
needed to remain in Norco in order to maintain its value to the Navy. 
The Navy recognized John's leadership during the BRAC process and 
awarded him the Navy Award of Merit for Group Achievement.
  Following several leadership roles at Corona, John was promoted to 
Head of the Measurement Science Directorate in August 1995. As director 
of the Navy's top metrology calibration directorate, he worked to 
significantly increase the metrology research and development program 
funding. He served as MS director until his promotion to Corona's top 
technical director position in January 2002.
  During John's tenure as technical director, he has overseen 
significant facilities improvements at Corona. In 2002, the Measurement 
Science and Technology Laboratory (MSTL)--a 39,000 sq. ft. 
environmental laboratory--was completed. The MSTL is a top facility 
that supports Navy and Marine Corps weapons and interface gages, force 
and dimensional calibration standards, and electro-optics research and 
development. In 2008, Corona will complete the $11.5 million extension 
of the Joint Warfare Assessment Laboratory, one of the Navy's premiere 
analysis labs. This 39,000 square-foot expansion significantly 
increases the secure analysis workspace to 87,000 square feet and will 
aid the base's primary mission: Assessing the warfighting capability of 
ships, aircraft, missiles, and weapons systems for the Navy and other 
Armed Forces. John has also overseen planning for three additional labs 
in the future, as part of a long-term plan to enhance Corona's 
facilities.
  In addition to Corona's facilities, John has led many institutional 
transformations that have helped Corona meet today's demand for its 
technical services, while positioning the organization to meet future 
requirements. In 2004, John guided Corona's growth from four 
departments to six, resulting in cost savings to the Navy and better 
alignment of technical capabilities for naval programs.
  John has been instrumental in creating long-term professional 
development programs at Corona that will strengthen the organization 
for years to come. Under his direction, Corona embedded a systemic 
Employee Development Program to institutionalize professional 
development for future generations of Corona employees. These efforts 
were recognized by the University of the Notre Dame Mendoza College of 
Business' highest recognition, The Outstanding Leadership in Executive 
Education Award. The development program has also received 
international acclaim as a case study for its proactive and innovative 
approach to managing leadership development, career, and succession 
planning. During John's time as the senior civilian, Corona has also 
been recognized as one of the Top Companies to Work For in the Inland 
Empire.
  In addition to strengthening Corona's workforce, John has been a 
strong proponent of being active in professional organizations. He 
served as Measurement Science Conference President and in various 
liaison positions for National Conference of Standards Laboratories 
International. He was also a founding member of the Inland Empire 
Chapter of the American Society of Naval Engineers and its Chairman 
from 1995-96. From 2001-2003, he served on the National Cooperation for 
Laboratory Accreditation Board of Directors and has served as the 
Science and Technology Education Partnership (STEP) Conference Co-
chairman since 2001 and STEP's Vice President of Operations since 2003.
  I've known John for many years and am sincerely grateful for all the 
work he has done for our Nation, our community, NSWC, Corona and for 
STEP. His absence will be deeply felt in our community. I also 
congratulate John for receiving the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service 
Award for exemplary service to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona 
Division. I commend John for his many years of excellent service and 
wish him health and happiness in retirement.

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