[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 126 (Monday, July 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO VICE ADMIRAL PAUL E. SULLIVAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 28, 2008

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Vice 
Admiral Paul E. Sullivan, United States Navy, who is retiring after 
more than 34 years of faithful service to our nation, culminating in 
his service as the 41st Commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command 
(NAVSEA).
  A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Sullivan held several key 
leadership positions over the course of his distinguished career, 
including the NAVSEA Deputy Commander for Ship Design Integration and 
Engineering, the Program Manager for the Virginia-class Submarine 
Program, and the Program Manager for the SEAWOLF Submarine Program. He 
also served aboard USS Detector, at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, at the 
Supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair in Connecticut, at the 
Program Executive Office for Submarines, and on the staff of the 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and 
Acquisition.
  Vice Admiral Sullivan's initiative, vision and wise counsel were of 
extraordinary value to the Department of the Navy, during a period of 
drastic global change. Leading the Navy's largest Echelon II Command, 
he oversaw 53,000 employees and reformed NAVSEA's business practices to 
align a $29 billion annual budget with the Navy's top priorities.
  A leader in the acquisition community, Sullivan adeptly stewarded 
NAVSEA's associated Program Executive Offices through the design, 
contracting, construction, testing, and delivery of the San Antonio-
class Amphibious Transport Dock program, the Virginia-class submarine 
program, the Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship program, the Lewis and 
Clark-class Dry Cargo Ammunition program, the Zumwalt-class DDG 1000 
program, the Gerald R. Ford-class Next Generation Carrier program and 
the USS George H.W. Bush.
  Under his leadership in fleet maintenance, 13 aircraft carriers, 46 
submarines, and 4 large surface ships were delivered back to the fleet 
after being overhauled in naval shipyards, and over 140 private sector 
availabilities on surface combatants were completed.
  A champion of the importance of diversity, he implemented an entirely 
new command-wide policy, including new outreach, hiring practices and 
mentoring programs. He also instituted a scholarship program at 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities with a steady state 
enrollment of 44 students. In recognition of his efforts, he was 
presented the Navy Human Resources Equal Employment Opportunity 
Nathaniel Stinson Award.
  It is through the commitment and sacrifice of Americans like Vice 
Admiral Sullivan that our nation is able to continue upon the path of 
democracy and strive for the betterment of mankind. I am proud, Madam 
Speaker, to thank him and his family for his honorable service to our 
nation in the United States Navy. I wish him ``fair winds and following 
seas'' as he concludes a distinguished naval career.

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